Confidentiality
The Practice has a general duty of confidentiality to their patients, staff and Practice business. This policy will apply to everyone in the Practice and for other professional staff working for the Practice.
All information concerning patients, staff (in connection with their employment) and the Practice business is strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to those who are not entitled to receive it in the course of their duties.
A breach of confidentiality constitutes gross misconduct and may result in dismissal, subject to the provisions of the Practice disciplinary procedures.
Non-medical staff in the Practice have received similar guidance on these matters via their contracts and handbooks of terms and conditions of service. In particular, they have been made aware of doctors' responsibilities in the maintenance of confidentiality and that they should not disclose confidential patient information without the consent of the patient's doctor.
This general duty of confidentiality does not affect our statutory rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, to make disclosures of otherwise confidential information without being dismissed or otherwise subjected to a detriment. However, it is expected that matters we are concerned about should be raised within the Practice in the first instance. Such matters (eg about the safety of patient care) may be raised with any Partner.
Freedom of Information
Click here to download a copy of our Freedom of Information public scheme
The Practice complies with the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Access to Medical Record legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:
- To provide further medical treatment for you eg from District Nurses and hospital services
- For provision of other services eg from the Social Work Department. This requires your consent
- When we have a duty to others eg 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 eg for diabetic care. If you do not wish anonymised information about you to be used in such a way, please inform us in writing. If you would like more information about how the Practice complies with the legislation, please put your request in writing to Mrs Irena Nestorowytsch-Irwin, Business Manager.