Access to your Records

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are entitled to request information from your clinical records, or any other personal data that we hold about you.

If you require information from your records, you must make a Subject Access Request, forms available at reception.

Provision of Information to Third Parties

The practice may share your personal information with other NHS organisations where this is lawful and appropriate for your health care. In other circumstances we may approach you for specific consent to release personal information to a third party. Information will not normally be released to other family members without written patient consent.

In some circumstances there are statutory or ethical obligations (for example, in connection with public health) for information to be disclosed to one or more third parties without your consent, however you may be consulted about these in advance. All staff have access to some or all of your personal information and health record, but only to the extent required in relation to their roles, governed by employee contractual confidentiality agreements and by the legal requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Proxy access

Patients have the right to grant a carer, relative, responsible adult or partner access to their online services. The patient can limit which online services they want the nominated individual to access. Patients are to be advised that they should not share their own login details with anyone. The nominated individual will be a linked user to access the online services for their partner, relative or person they are caring for. To obtain proxy access a person must be registered for online access at the organization/practice where the patient they are acting for is registered.

The nominated individual is to complete the online services registration form at Annex A. Should the Practice opt not to grant the person access to your individual record, the administration team will contact the patient and advise them of the reasons why this decision has been reached. This decision will be made by a GP Partner at the surgery and/or Linda Donegan Practice Manager.

Parents may request proxy access to their child’s detailed care records until the child reaches the age of 11, when this will automatically cease. Subsequent proxy access will need to be authorised by the patient. In addition, parental proxy access may be reinstated if, after discussion with the parent(s) requesting access, the child’s GP believes that proxy access would be in the child’s best interest.