We ask for information so that you can receive proper care and treatment. We keep this information, together with details of your care because it may be needed if we see you again. The practice is fully computerised and certain information is held about you on our system. This information is covered by the Data Protection Act.
We may use some of this information for other reasons, for example to help us protect the health of the public generally and to see that the NHS runs efficiently; to plan for the future, to train staff and to account for actions taken.
Sometimes the law requires us to pass on information, for instance to notify a birth.
The NHS Central Register for England and Wales contains basic personal information of all patients who are registered with a GP. The Register does not contain clinical information. You have a right to access your health records. Be rest assured everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty of confidentiality.
You may be receiving care from providers other than the NHS. For your benefit, we may share some information with these providers about you. We only ever use or pass on information if there is a genuine need and it is in everyone’s interests. Wherever possible, personally identifying details will be removed. The sharing of some types of personal information is strictly controlled by law and all receivers are legally bound to confidentiality.