Other Information

Information Kept In Your Medical Records:
• Basic details about you, such as your address and next of kin
• Consultations we have had with you
• Details relating to your health and treatment and care you receive
• Results of investigations and blood tests
• Relevant information from relatives or those who care for you and know you well
This information may be stored on paper and electronically on computer files. Please help us to keep this accurate by informing us of any changes in your circumstances. Telephone numbers are very important for contact details. We only release this information to NHS personnel.

How Your Records Are Used:
The main reasons for which your information may be needed are:
• Giving you health care and treatment
Those involved in your care need accurate and up to date information to assess your health and decide what care you need. This information may also be needed if you see another doctor, or are referred to a specialist or another part of the NHS.
• Looking after the health of the general public
• Reviewing and assessing the care we provide to ensure it is of the highest standard
• Teaching and training other healthcare professionals
• Paying bills to doctors, dentists, nurses, hospitals etc
• Auditing accounts
• Carrying out health research and development
• Investigating complaints, legal claims or untoward incidents
• Making sure our services can meet patients' needs in the future
• Preparing statistics on NHS performance and activity
For purposes other than your direct care, we use anonymous data wherever possible.

You Have a Right of Access to your Health Records
The Data Protection Act 1998 gives you the right to access information held on computer and in manual records. This right applies to your health records. If you want to see your records you should make a written request to the NHS organisation where you are being, or have been treated. You should give full details in order that information about you may be located.
If you require a copy of the information, the following fees may be charged:
• A maximum of £10 for computer records
• A maximum of £50 for manual records
All requests must be dealt with within 40 days.
Sometimes the doctor may decide to withhold information in your record for you. This only happens when the information is about other people, or it is felt you could be caused harm.
Anyone who receives information from us is under a legal duty to keep it confidential.

Occasions When We Must Pass On Information By Law Include:
• Notification of new births
• Infectious disease that may endanger the safety of others, eg meningitis or
measles
Please note that information passed on about sexually transmitted infections is anonymous. However, as required by law, personal details will be passed on for details of infectious hepatitis.
• Where a formal court order has been issued
• We may also pass on information in exceptional circumstances such as when the health and safety of others is at risk.