• This practice handles medical records in-line with laws on data protection and confidentiality.
• We share medical records with those who are involved in providing you with care and treatment.
• In some circumstances we will also share medical records for medical research, for example to find out more about why people get ill.
• We share information when the law requires us to do so, for example, to prevent infectious diseases from spreading or to check the care being provided to you is safe.
• You have the right to be given a copy of your medical record.
• You have the right to object to your medical records being shared with those who provide you with care.
• You have the right to object to your information being used for medical research and to plan health services.
• You have the right to have any mistakes corrected and to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office. Please see the practice privacy notice on the website or speak to a member of staff for more information about your rights

Freedom of Information

Information about the General Practitioners 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

Under GDPR 2018 law, patients have the right to request access to their own medical records under a Subject Access Request without charge. Such requests should be made through the practice manager in writing. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.

It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as 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. If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can choose to opt out securely online or through a telephone service. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.

UPDATE YOUR PREFERENCES

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

We hope that most problems can be sorted out easily and quickly, often at the time they arise and with the person concerned.  If your problem cannot be sorted out in this way and you wish to make a complaint, we would like you to let us know as soon as possible – ideally within a matter of days or at most a few weeks – because this will enable us to establish what happened more easily.  If it is not possible to do that, please let us have details of your complaint:

• Within 12 months of the incident occurring or
• Within 12 months of the date of the incident coming to your attention

We will be pleased to deal with any complaint.  Our complaints procedure will be explained to you and make sure that your concerns are dealt with promptly.   You can make your complaint:

• In person –   ask to speak to the Operational Manager or Practice Support Manager if you are registered at either our Abbey View, Fontmell, Sturminster or Marnhull practices 01747 856700 or 01258 474500
• In writing  –   some complaints may be easier to explain in writing – please give as much information as you can, then send your complaint to the practice for the attention of the relevant manager as soon as possible.

This Practice is within the Dorset Integrated Care Board Area. The headquarters are , Vespasian House, Barrack Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1TG Telephone: 01305 368900

Care professionals in England use an electronic record called the Summary Care Record (SCR).

This can provide those involved in your care with faster secure access to key information from your GP record.

What is a SCR?

If you are registered with a GP practice in England, you will already have an SCR unless you have previously chosen not to have one.

It includes the following basic information:

• Medicines you are taking
• Allergies you suffer from
• Any bad reactions to medicines.

It also includes your name, address, date of birth and unique NHS Number which helps to identify you correctly.

What choices do you have?

You can now choose to include more information in your SCR, such as significant medical history (past and present), information about management of long term conditions, immunisations and patient preferences such as end of life care information, particular care needs and communication preferences.

If you would like to do this, talk to your GP practice as it can only be added with your permission.

Remember, you can change your mind about your SCR at any time. Talk to your GP practice if you want to discuss your option to add more information or decide you no longer want an SCR.

Who can see my SCR?

Only authorised care professional staff in England who are involved in your direct care can have access to your SCR. Your SCR will not be used for any other purposes.

These staff:

• Need to have a Smartcard with a chip and passcode
• Will only see the information they need to do their job
• Will have their details recorded every time they look at your record.

Care professionals will ask for your permission if they need to look at your SCR. If they cannot ask you because you are unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate, they may decide to look at your record because doing so is in your best interest. This access is recorded and checked to ensure that it is appropriate.

SCRs for children

If you are the parent or guardian of a child under 16, and feel they are able to understand this information you should show it to them. You can then support them to come to a decision about having an SCR and whether to include additional information.

Vulnerable patients and carers

Having an SCR that includes extra information can be of particular benefit to patients with detailed and complex health problems. If you are a carer for someone and believe that this may benefit them, you could discuss it with them and their GP practice.

Confidentiality

For information on how the NHS will collect, store and allow access to your electronic records visit NHS Choices

Opt Out

You can choose not to have a Summary Care Record.

SCR OPT OUT FORM