Any information discussed with any member of staff, whether this is a doctor, nurse or receptionist, will remain confidential. Without your permission, no information will be discussed with anyone including family members.

The only reason why we might want to consider passing on confidential information without your permission would be to protect either you or someone else from serious harm. If this is the case, we would always try to discuss this with you first.

If you have any worries or queries about confidentiality, please contact the surgery.

MEDICAL RECORDS

The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

• To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
• To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
• When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

Freedom of Information

Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.

Access to Records

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through reception, we require something in writing either a letter or email. There is no fee for this. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.