PRIVACY POLICY

  How we use your medical records

Important information for patients

· This practice handles medical records in-line with laws on data protection and confidentiality.

· As is standard medical practice, we share medical records with those who are involved in providing you with care and treatment. We need to get your consent to share records with others. If you do not consent to us sharing records or, for example, writing to your GP, which is standard medical practice, then you can withdraw that consent, then we cannot write to your GP without your permission. Because of the sensitive and intimate nature of psychiatric, psychological and emotional issues, people often want to keep this kind of information off the NHS digital record system. This is national standardised system where often information about you can be shared to a wide variety of different people without you knowing who will end up seeing your digital record. If you do not want Dr Persaud to write to your GP, then you can let him know this. Dr Persaud however advises all patients that it is regarded as 'good medical practice' to write to family doctors, so that they have the necessary information they may need to manage your care. You do have the right to withdraw consent that you family doctor is written to. If there is an emergency situation, and/or if your own safety becomes an issue, then emergency medical considerations can, at times, override the patient's right to privacy.

· In some circumstances we will also share medical records for medical research, for example to find out more about why people get ill. 

· We share information when the law requires us to do so, for example, to prevent infectious diseases from spreading or to check the care being provided to you is safe. 

· You have the right to be given a copy of your medical record.

· You have the right to object to your medical records being shared with those who provide you with care.

·  You have the right to object to your information being used for medical research and to plan health services. 

· You have the right to have any mistakes corrected and to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office. Please see the practice privacy notice on the website or speak to a member of staff for more information about your rights.

For more information ask at reception