Confidentiality/Data Protection & FOI
In order to provide high quality care we need to keep health records about all our patients. We treat confidentiality very seriously and this is reflected in the way that we manage patient records. We hold all the records on the computer and allow information to be shared only when and if it is needed as part of your care. You have a right to access your medical records, but there may be a fee to pay for this. We will not share any part of a record with anyone outside the NHS without your permission.
Information about confidentiality, data protection and health records is available on the Department of Health website.
The NHS is developing patient records so that a core part of your record is available to all organizations across the NHS if and when it is needed. The NHS is making a guarantee to patients that these health records are secure.
If you would like further information from the practice around confidentiality and data protection then please email the practice manager at warrentuite@nhs.net
Further information is also available in the NHS Care Record Guarantee .
Clinical Governance
The Government has adopted a system of Clinical Governance to ensure national standards in health services. It covers all aspects of health services to ensure patients receive the highest possible quality of care.
An element of Clinical Governance is clinical audit. We carry out audit in many areas of care and it proves to be a useful tool for continually reviewing and improving the services we provide for patients.
If you would like further information from the practice around clinical governance then please email the practice manager at warrentuite@nhs.net
Freedom Of Information Act
This is a guide to the General Practitioners who practice together within the partnership publication scheme as required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Introduction
This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Dr Stockton & Thompson; it is a description of the information about our General Practitioners and Practice, which we make publicly available. It will be reviewed at regular intervals and we will monitor its effectiveness.
How much will it Cost?
Whilst the publication scheme is free of charge there may be a cost to producing copies of the surgeries policies and procedures, upon request. These costs are stated later in this publication.
How is the Information Made Available?
You can contact the practice manager to request a copy of this information please email warrentuite@nhs.net
Your Rights to Information
In addition to accessing the information identified in the publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about Dr Stockton & Thompson General Practice under the NHS Openness Code 1995.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 recognises that members of the public have the right to know how public services are organised and run, how much they cost and how the decisions are made.
From January 1st 2005 it obliges the Practice to respond to requests about information that it holds, and is recorded in any format and it will create a right of access to that information. These rights are subject to some exemptions, which have to be taken into consideration before deciding what information it can release.
New environmental information regulations were introduced in 2003. These enabled similar access to environmental information as under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Under the Data Protection Act 1988, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you and you can contact Mr Warren Tuite, the Practice Manager, at the Surgery, to be guided as to how you may do this.
Feedback
If you have any comments about the operation of the Publication Scheme, or how we have dealt with your request for information from the Scheme, please write to Mr Warren Tuite, Practice Manager, at the Surgery.
Classes Of Information
All information at Dr Stockton & Thompson is, held, retained and destroyed in accordance with NHS guidelines. Our commitment to publish information excludes any information, which can be legitimately withheld under the exemptions set out in the NHS Openness Code of Freedom of Information Act 2000. Where individual Classes are subject to exemptions, the main reasons are e.g. the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This applies to all Classes within the Publication Scheme. The information on this Scheme is grouped into the following broad categories:
- Who we Are
- Regular Publications for the Public
- Useful Resources
- Our Policies and Procedures
- Our Services
- Financial & Funding Information
- Complaints
- This Publication Scheme
To download a copy of our patient leaflet, click here