Our practice strictly adheres to the Data Protection Act. All patient information is treated as confidential, from the most sensitive diagnosis to the simple fact of having visited the surgery or being registered at the practice. Patients can expect that their personal information will not be disclosed without their permission, except in exceptional circumstances where someone is at grave risk of serious harm.
All members of our primary health care team, non-clinical and clinical, have access to your medical records in the course of their duties. They are all committed to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality.
If you need to discuss something confidentially and feel the reception area is too public, please inform one of the receptionists, and arrangements will be made to provide you with the necessary privacy.
Useful websites
- Confidentiality NHS code of practice
- Confidentiality and mental health
- Confidentiality guidance website
Under 16’s
The duty of confidentiality owed to individuals under 16 is as significant as that owed to any other person. Young people under 16 can choose to see health professionals without informing their parents or carers. If a GP believes the young person is competent to make decisions about their health, the GP can provide advice, prescribe, and treat the young person without further consent.
However, health professionals will encourage young people to discuss health issues with a parent or carer as part of good practice. Occasionally, the law requires us to report information to appropriate authorities to protect young people or members of the public.