To provide you with the care you need, we hold the details of your consultations, illnesses, tests, prescriptions & other treatments that have been recorded by everyone involved in your care and treatment eg GP, Practice Nurse, Health Visitor.  This information may be stored on paper or electronically on computer files by the practice staff

We sometimes disclose some of your personal health information with other organisations involved in your care.  For example, when your GP refers you to a specialist at the hospital we will send the relevant information about you in the referral letter and receive information about you from them  Our practice also participates in regional and national programmes such as the cervical cytology screening service and your name, address, dob, and health number will be given to them in order to send invitations.

We need to use some of your personal health information for administrative purposes.  In order to receive payment for services provided to you, we have to disclose basic details about you to the NHS Board responsible for this area and to the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service.

Sometimes we may participate in health research and the teaching of student nurses, doctors and other health care professionals.  We will not use or disclose your personal information for these purposes unless you have been informed beforehand and given your consent for us to do so.

Where you need a service jointly provided with a local authority we will seek your permission before giving them your details.

Sometimes we are required by law to pass on information eg the notification of births, deaths and certain diseases or crimes to the government. This is a legal requirement.
Our use of your personal health information is covered by a duty of confidentiality and is regulated by the Data Protection Act.  The Data Protection Act gives you a number of rights in relation to how your personal information is used, including a right to access the information we hold about you

Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential and adheres to a code of practice on protecting patient confidentiality.  Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal obligation to keep it confidential.

Further information can be found at www.nhsis.co.uk/confidentiality

You have the right to see or have a copy of your health records.  You can apply in writing to Judy Brotherston, Practice Manager.  You can also see or have a copy of any medical reports made about you for an insurance company or an employer.

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Freedom of Information

http://www.nhsnss.org/pages/publications/freedom_of_information.php?id=54

Rights and Responsibilities of Practice Patients

• Please treat your GP and their staff as you would expect to be treated
• We will not tolerate abusive or agressive language or behaviour towards any member of staff
• Please cancel appointments you cannot attend or no longer need - somebody else is always waiting
• Please think twice before calling a doctor to your home - is a visit really necessary?
• Please do not expect a prescription every time you visit the GP - good advice is often the best medicine
• A second opinion is not a right - but you can discuss it with your GP who knows when to seek extra help
• You can find basic health information elsewhere eg your pharmacist, NHS 24
• Please request your repeat prescriptions in good time - this will help avoid delays
• Please remember that doctors are only human - they cannot cure all your problems and illnesses
• If you have a genuine complaint or concern please contact the Practice Manager first

Help us to help you

We try to provide the best possible services for our patients.  If you are aware of any situation where this can be improved please bring this to the attention of Judy Brotherston, Practice Manager.