Patient confidentiality
We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. It is important that the NHS keeps accurate and up-to-date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give you the best possible care.
This information may be used for management and audit purposes. However, it is usually only available to, and used by, those involved in your care. You have the right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records, please contact a member of our practice staff.
“How we handle your information” leaflets are available at reception.
As a patient you have the right to prevent confidential information about you from being shared or used for any purpose other than providing your care, except in special circumstances. If you do not want information that identifies you to be shared outside the practice or if you want to restrict the use of information held by other places you receive care, such as hospitals and community services you should let us know.
A ‘How information about you helps us to provide better care’ leaflet and a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available to download at www.nhs.uk/caredata
To read our privacy notice please click here
We have produced an easy read version of our privacy notice; to read this please click here
We have also a privacy information leaflet for children and young people. Please click here to read this leaflet
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
On the 25th May 2018 new data protection regulations were introduced. The GDPR replaces the Data Protection directive and is designed to harmonise data privacy laws across Europe to protect and empower all EU citizen’s data privacy and reshape the way in which orgaisations across the region approach data privacy. To help patients understand how this affects them, we have produced the attached leaflet to assist.
Please click here to read our leaflet
NHS Summary Care Record
The NHS in England is introducing the Summary Care Record, which will be used in emergency care. The record will contain information about any medicines you are taking, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had to ensure those caring for you have enough information to treat you safely. Healthcare staff will ask your permission before they look at your record, except in certain circumstances for example if you are unconscious. As a patient you have a choice, please click here to find out more.
In addition to the National Summary Care Record, your local NHS in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire is developing a local shared record, called the Connecting Care Record. Your Connecting Care record will contain more detailed information, such as diagnoses, medications and appointments, to support your treatment and care at services in your area. This record will only be used to support your care locally. It will ensure that the people caring for you have enough information to treat you safely and to co-ordinate your care. Your Connecting Care Record will only be available to authorised health and social care staff who are directly involved in your care locally. As with the Summary Care Record, they must have permission each time they view your Connecting Care Record. As a patient you have a choice, please click here to find out more.
General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR)
For more information about this visit NHS Digital
UPDATE 08/06/2021 – Data Extraction has been delayed until 1st September 2021
As of 1st September 2021 your data will be shared with NHS Digital to help improve health, care and services
Patient data from GP medical records kept by GP practices in England is used every day to improve health, care and services through planning and research, helping to find better treatments and improve patient care. The NHS is introducing an improved way to share this information – called the General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection.
NHS Digital will collect, analyse, publish and share this patient data to improve health and care services for everyone. This includes:
- informing and developing health and social care policy
- planning and commissioning health and care services
- taking steps to protect public health (including managing and monitoring the coronavirus pandemic)
- in exceptional circumstances, providing you with individual care
- enabling healthcare and scientific research
Any data that NHS Digital collects will only be used for health and care purposes. It is never shared with marketing or insurance companies.
NHS Digital will not collect any patient data for patients who have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out in line with current policy. If this changes patients who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out will be informed.
If you do not want your patient data shared with NHS Digital, you can register a Type 1 Opt-out with us. You can register a Type 1 Opt-out at any time. You can also change your mind at any time and withdraw a Type 1 Opt-out.
Data sharing with NHS Digital will start on 1st September 2021 *updated 08/06/2021
If you have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice your data will not be shared with NHS Digital.
If you wish to register a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice before data sharing starts with NHS Digital, this should be done by returning this form to us by 31st August 2021 to allow time for processing it. If you have previously registered a Type 1 Opt-out and you would like to withdraw this, you can also use the form to do this. You can send the form by post to us or call 0300 303 5678 for a form to be sent out to you.
If you register a Type 1 Opt-out after your patient data has already been shared with NHS Digital, no more of your data will be shared with NHS Digital. NHS Digital will however still hold the patient data which was shared with us before you registered the Type 1 Opt-out.
If you do not want NHS Digital to share your identifiable patient data with anyone else for purposes beyond your own care, then you can also register a National Data Opt-out (also known as Type 2 Opt out).
FAO: NHS Digital briefing – General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR)
What do you need to do?
If you are happy for your data to be shared as above, and haven’t previously Opt’d out – you do not need to do anything.
Type 1 OPT-OUT – to stop sharing your details with NHS digital (or to opt back in, if you have previous opt’d out)
Complete this form opt out form (or you can complete this to opt back in)
If you are not able to complete this form, call 0300 303 5678 for a form to be posted to you or come into the practice and we can give you a copy to complete.
Then, either;
- Hand the form into reception
- post it to us to: Close Farm Surgery, 47 Victoria Rd, North Common, Bristol BS30 5JZ
Type 2 OPT-OUT (Also known as National Data Opt-out) – If you do not want NHS Digital to share your patient data with anyone else for purposes beyond your own care, which has been already shared with them (or to opt back in, if you have previous opt’d out)
NOTE: You can only do this via the following ways – as a GP practice we cannot opt you out of Type 2 (National Data Opt-out)
You need to, either;
- Call 0300 303 5678
- or, complete the online form via YOUR NHS MATTERS
