Privacy Notice

 

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What is a privacy notice?

A privacy notice is a statement that discloses some, or all, of the ways in which the practice gathers, uses, discloses and manages a patient’s data.

It fulfils a legal requirement to protect a patient’s privacy

 

Why do we need one?

To ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) The Acorn and Gaumont House Surgery must ensure that information is provided to patients about how their personal data is processed in a manner which is:

  • Concise, transparent, intelligible, and easily accessible
  • Written in clear and plain language, particularly if addressed to a child; and
  • Free of charge
 

What is GDPR?

The GDPR replaces the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and is designed to harmonise data privacy laws across Europe. To protect and empower all EU citizens’ data privacy and to reshape the way in which organisations across the region approach data privacy.
The GDPR comes into effect from 25th May 2018

 

How do we communicate our privacy notice?

The The Acorn and Gaumont House Surgery privacy notice is displayed on our website, through signage in the waiting room and in writing during patient registration

We will:

  • Inform patients how their data will be used and for what purpose
  • Allow patients to opt out of sharing data, should they so wish
 

What information do we collect about you?

We will collect information such as personal details, including name, address, next of kin, records of appointments, visits, telephone calls, your health records, treatment and medications, test results, X-rays, etc. and other relevant information to enable us to deliver effective medical care.

 

How do we use your information?

Your data is collected for the purpose of providing direct patient care; however we can disclose this information if it is required by law, if you give use consent, or if it is justified in the public interest. The practice may be requested to support research; however, we will always gain your consent before sharing your information with medical research databases unless we have to do so by law.

 

Maintaining confidentiality

We are committed to maintaining confidentiality and protecting the information we hold about you. We adhere to the GDPR, the NHS Code of Confidentiality and Security, as well as guidance issued by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO)

 

Risk Stratification

Risk stratification is a mechanism used to identify and subsequently manage those patients deemed as being high risk or requiring urgent or emergency care. Usually this includes patients with long-term conditions e.g. cancer. Your information is collected by a number of sources, including the The Acorn and Gaumont House Surgery; this information is processed electronically and given a risk score which is relayed to your GP who can then decide on any necessary actions to ensure that you receive the most appropriate care

 

Invoice validation

Your information may be shared if you have received treatment, to determine which Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for paying for your treatment. This information may include your name, address and treatment date. All of this information is held securely and confidentially; it will not be used for any other purpose or shared with any third parties.

 

Opt-outs

You have a right to object to your information being shared. Should you wish to opt out of all data collection, please contact a member of staff who will be able to explain how you can opt out and prevent the sharing of your information. NHS Digital will enable an online national data opt out from the 25th May 2018. Information can be found by clicking here

 

Accessing your records

You have a right to access the information we hold about you, and if you would like to access this information, you will need to complete a Subject Access Request (SAR). Please ask at reception for a SAR form and you will be given further information. Furthermore, should you identify any inaccuracies, you have a right to have the inaccurate data corrected.

 

What to do if you have any questions

If you are unsure about patient data and want to know more, try this easy to understand website

Should you have any questions about our privacy policy or the information we hold about you, you can:

  1. Contact the practice’s data controller via email at the practice, GP practices are data controllers for the data they hold about their patients
  2. Write to the data controller at the practice
  3. Ask to speak to the practice manager
 

Complaints

In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with any element of our data-processing methods, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the ICO. For further details, visit the Information Commissioner's Office website and select ‘Raising a concern’.

We regularly review our privacy policy and any updates will be published on our website, in our newsletter and on posters to reflect the changes