Your Information and Your Care

How we use and protect your personal information

At our practice, we are committed to treating your information with the same care and respect as we treat you.

Your health information helps us provide safe, high-quality care tailored to your needs. We only use it in ways that are lawful, necessary, and focused on your wellbeing.

Why we keep information about you

Healthcare professionals are required by law to keep accurate records about your health and treatment.

These records allow us to:

Understand your medical history

Provide safe and effective care

Coordinate with other services involved in your treatment

Respond quickly in emergencies

Improve services for all patients

Your information may be stored securely on computer systems or on paper records.

What information we hold

Your GP record may include:

Personal details (name, address, date of birth, NHS number)

Contact details and next of kin

Details of appointments and consultations

Medical history and clinical notes

Test results and hospital reports

Medications, allergies, and reactions

Care plans and treatment information

Information from other health or social care professionals

Relevant information from carers or relatives (where appropriate)

We only record information that is necessary for your care.

How we use your information

Your information helps us to:

Provide safe, personalised care

Work closely with hospitals, pharmacies, and community services

Monitor quality and patient safety

Plan services for our local population

Train healthcare staff

Support ethically approved research that benefits patients

We do not use your information for commercial purposes.

Keeping your information safe

Your confidentiality is extremely important to us.

We protect your information by:

Allowing access only to authorised staff

Using secure NHS-approved systems

Monitoring access to records

Training staff regularly on confidentiality

Following strict national standards

Everyone working in the NHS has a legal duty to keep your information confidential.

Digital services that support your care

We use secure digital systems to make it easier for you to contact us and for us to deliver safe, efficient care.

 

 

PATCHS — Online requests

PATCHS allows you to contact us online for medical or administrative help at a time that suits you.

You can:

Ask medical questions

Request appointments

Upload forms or photos

Request prescriptions

Information you provide becomes part of your record where relevant and is reviewed by trained staff.

Accurx — Messages and consultation support

We use Accurx to communicate with you by text message, email, and secure online forms.

Accurx Scribe may help clinicians document consultations by converting speech into written notes. These notes are always checked by your clinician before being saved.

Abtrace — Support for long-term conditions

Abtrace helps clinicians identify patients who may benefit from additional support or review for long-term conditions.

It supports decision-making but does not replace clinical judgement.

Anima — Document management

Anima helps us manage incoming documents such as hospital letters and reports safely and efficiently.

It ensures information is reviewed promptly and directed to the right member of the team.

It is not used to make medical decisions or assess patients.

Sharing information to support your care

We work closely with other organisations involved in your treatment.

We may share relevant information with:

Hospitals and specialist services

Other GP practices

Pharmacies, dentists, and opticians

Ambulance services

Community and social care teams

We share only what is necessary to provide safe care.

Summary Care Record (SCR)

The Summary Care Record gives healthcare staff essential information in emergencies or when you are seen outside your GP practice.

This helps ensure you receive safe treatment even when we are not directly involved.

You can choose whether you want this record to be available.

Local shared care records

In urgent situations, authorised professionals may access relevant parts of your record through secure shared systems.

Access is carefully controlled, monitored, and recorded.

Your choices about how information is used

National Data Opt-Out

You can choose not to have your confidential information used for NHS planning or research beyond your individual care.

Your decision will not affect the care you receive.

Research invitations

From time to time, we may invite you to take part in research that could improve healthcare.

Taking part is entirely voluntary

Your care will not be affected if you decline

Your details are not shared without your permission

You can ask not to receive research invitations

Safeguarding

Very rarely, information may be shared without consent to protect someone from serious harm, such as in cases involving vulnerable adults or children.

How long we keep your records

Health records are usually kept for many years — often for your lifetime — to ensure continuity and safety of care.

 

 

Your rights

You have the right to:

See your medical records

Request corrections if information is inaccurate

Ask how your information is used

Raise concerns or complaints

We are happy to help you understand your rights.

Keeping your details up to date

Please let us know if your contact details change.

You can also update them through the NHS App.

How we contact you

If you provide your mobile number or email address, we may send:

Appointment reminders

Health screening invitations

Important service updates

You can opt out at any time.

Clinical safety of digital systems

We use digital tools to support care safely and responsibly.

A designated Clinical Safety Officer oversees these systems to ensure they meet national safety standards and do not introduce risks to patients.

Who is responsible for your information

The GP Practice is responsible for protecting your personal information.

Questions or concerns

If you have any questions about how your information is used, please contact the practice — we are here to help.

If you remain unhappy, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Website: www.ico.org.uk

Keeping this notice up to date

We review this information regularly to reflect changes in services, technology, and law.

Last reviewed: March 2026