GDPR/Your Data
Confidentiality
You have a right to know who holds personal information about you. This person or organisation is called the Data Controller. In the NHS, the Data Controller is usually your local NHS Health Authority and/or your GP Surgery. The NHS must keep your personal health information confidential. It is your right.
Please be aware that our staff are bound to the NHS code of confidentiality; they are therefore not permitted to discuss any of our patient’s medical history, including their registration status, without their written consent to do so.
Once written consent has been received and verified with the patient we can provide you with information as required; this includes communicating with you on behalf of the patient with regards to any complaints, but excludes patients who are unable to act on their own behalf and already have a designated person or carer responsible for their medical care.
Care Data
NHS England is currently involved in developing a modern information system, to help improve health services.
To discover how information about you helps us to provide better care you can visit the NHS England website or download the leaflets shown below.
Health and Social Care Information
Frequently asked questions for patients
Freedom of Information
Anyone has a right to request information from a public authority. We have two separate duties when responding to these requests:
- to tell the applicant (you or your representative) whether we hold any information falling within the scope of their request; and
- to provide that information
We normally have 20 working days to respond to a request.
For a request to be valid under the Freedom of Information Act it must be made in writing and should be submitted to the Practice Manager and must include the name and address of the applicant, for the reply; the applicant does not need to say why they want the information. Any letter or email to a public authority asking for information is a request for recorded information under the Act.
General Practice Extraction Service (GPES)
General Practice Extraction Service (GPES) is a centrally managed, primary care, data extraction service being introduced across England, and is managed by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).
The purpose of GPES is to extract and compare data from across the NHS, allowing data to be turned into accurate and usable management information; this in turn leads to improvements in patient care and greater efficiency across the service as a whole. The data extracted is also used to support QOF, although GPES does not calculate or make these payments, that task is carried out by the Calculating Quality Reporting Service (CQRS).
Click on the link below to be redirected to a more in depth review of how ‘Care Data’ is being managed.
For further information please access this LINK.
Wirral Care Record
What is the Wirral Care Record (WCR)?
The Wirral Care Record (WCR) is a new confidential digital care record that is being developed and will include patient health and social care information.
Why do we need a WCR?
Currently, every health and social care organisation holds a different set of patient records. Information in different records may be duplicated or even incomplete. The WCR brings data from different organisations together, so the same information can be viewed. It is a read-only record, data cannot be edited directly from the WCR. Allowing authorised health and social care professionals to have access to the WCR will improve decision making by care professionals. This will provide patients with safer, more consistent care whether they are in hospital, at a GP surgery or any other place where care is accessed.
Your Data Matters to the NHS
Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe, and will always be clear about how it is used.
How your data is used
Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses is collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help both the Practice and other organisations for research and planning, for example research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of Doctors and Nurses in your local Hospital. It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.
Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential patient information.
You have a choice
You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. However, if you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can choose to opt out securely, either online or through a telephone service. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.
Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?
No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.
What do you need to do?
If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.
To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or to make/change your opt-out choice visit Your NHS data matters.
Multi-Disciplinary Teams
Health and care professionals provide care as a local team. This means that the right people can work together to ensure your care is planned and co-ordinated. They work within strict rules and focus on getting the best outcomes for their patients. They are ethically accountable to their professional bodies for their actions, including on what is appropriate to share and when. Sharing is subject to strict written agreements and/or contracts on how it will be used with tight controls to maintain confidentiality and security.
Sharing your information with others
Collecting and sharing information is essential to provide safe and effective healthcare.
Appropriate information sharing is an essential part of the provision of safe and effective care. Patients may be put at risk if those who provide their care do not have access to relevant, accurate and up-to-date information about them.
All staff have an ethical and legal duty to keep patient information confidential.
If you do not wish your health information to be shared please notify the Practice in writing, in order that we may update your record.
