The doctors and staff of the practice will not divulge any information about you to any third party, without your written consent to do so. We are bound by a strict code of conduct of confidentially and any breach of this will lead to the instant dismissal of the member of staff concerned.
Access to patients’ records by doctors, nurses and clerical staff is on a ‘need to know’ basis. Non-clinical staff have access to the full records in order to facilitate their ability to carry out their essential work.
Please be assured of a confidential service at all times from all doctors, nursing and clerical staff.
However, there are occasions when requests are received from other agencies, ie insurance companies, solicitors, etc for medical information. This will never be released from the practice without your signed consent to do so but it is worth remembering that if you give your consent for this information to be disclosed, it is then with a third party who may not be bound by the same code of conduct as the medical profession and your confidential health information could be more easily accessible.
If you have any worries about confidentiality please feel free to speak to a member of staff.
Here to listen, not to tell: Confidentiality for the under 16s
We provide a confidential service to all our patients, including under 16s. This means that you can tell others about your visit to the doctors’ surgery, but we won’t.
The only reason we might have to consider passing on confidential information without your permission would be to protect you or someone else from very serious harm. We would always try to discuss this with you first.
If you are being treated elsewhere – for example at a hospital or Brook Centre – it is best if you allow the doctor or nurse to inform the practice of any treatment you are receiving.
If you have any worries about confidentiality please feel free to ask a member of staff.
