Access to Health Records
The practice holds computerised health records, and is registered under the "DATA PROTECTION ACT", under which you have statutory rights.
We have always thought it best to openly share information with our patients. In addition, you are entitled, by law, to have access to your records that were hand-written after 1-11-1991. The Data Protection Act 1998 gives patients the right to access their medical records, including computerised as well as manual records. 
You must apply in writing stating the reason access is required; a charge of £10, plus photocopying fees (to a maximum of £50), will be made.
We will process applications for access received from patients, the parent/guardian for a child, a personal representative of a deceased patient or a person appointed to look after the affairs of a patient incapable of doing so personally.
We will endeavour to allow access to records promptly; however applications may take up to 40 days to process.
If you have any questions about our access to health records policy please contact the Practice Manager Mrs. Jeanette Millward
Confidentiality
Everyone who works in the NHS has a duty to keep information about you confidential. We will take great care to protect the information you give us. We will only share appropriate information with other agencies responsible for your care when they require it to be able to help you e.g. hospital doctors, social services, therapists, etc., unless you ask us not to. If you agree, we will keep your relatives and carers up to date with the progress of your treatment.
We will also share relevant information with staff who may not be directly involved in your care, but who help us to monitor and improve our services generally e.g. pharmacists, record clerks, summarisers and the health authority, unless you ask us not to. These staff are also bound by rules of confidentiality. We may use health information for medical audit to help ensure we improve our quality of care and service, but will ensure that individual details cannot be identified.
We will not release any information or reports to solicitors, employers, non health organisations, insurers, researchers, etc without your specific consent, (unless we are required to by law).
If you have any questions about our record keeping or confidentiality policy, please contact the Practice Manager Mrs Jeanette Millward.
Freedom of Information
The ICO has published a new Model Publication Scheme that all public authorities are required to adopt by 1st January 2009.
Model Publication Scheme - further information
(Last updated 23-08-2009)