Policies

Confidentiality, Data Protection & GDPR

We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. It is important that the NHS keeps accurate and up-to-date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give you the best possible advice and care. This information is only available to those involved in your care and you should never be asked for personal medical information by anyone not involved in your care.

You have a right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records or require a copy, please view our Access to Medical Records policy (click the link below) and complete the appropriate form.

From 25th May 2018 the law is changed with the addition of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This regulation had an impact on how we handle your data. Further information can be found on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – Official Legal Text (gdpr-info.eu) or in the following privacy notices & policies:

Privacy Notice – Waiting Room Poster

Privacy Notice – Employees

Privacy Notice – Research

Privacy Notice – Safeguarding

Privacy Notice – Payments

Privacy Notice – Direct Care

Privacy Notice – Summary Care Record

Privacy Notice – NHS Digital

Privacy Notice – Risk Stratification

GDPR – Subject Access Requests

Fair Processing & Privacy Notice

Data Protection Policy

CCTV Policy

Call Recording Policy

Emis moving to Amazon Warehousing system for data storage

A data processor acting on our behalf, EMIS Health, is changing certain technical aspects of the way in which it delivers services to us, and as part of this transition it will be moving the data which it hosts on our behalf from its own data centre to a third party data centre, which is owned and operated by Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Delivery of the services is subject to the terms of the GP Systems of Choice Framework (GPSOC) which is managed by NHS Digital on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health.

The exercise will involve a change to the manner in which data is being processed on our behalf. Although this change does not introduce processing that is likely to result in a high risk to individuals (which would necessitate the undertaking of a DPIA), given that the data includes special category data we nevertheless feel that it is appropriate that we undertake a review.

As detailed above, the data (which includes special category data (i.e. health data) which is collected via the processor’s clinical IT system and which forms the patient’s medical record) will be stored in a third party data centre (which will act on the instructions of EMIS Health, who in turn will act in accordance with instructions received from (or on behalf of) ourselves as the relevant controller pursuant to our call off contract under the GPSOC framework or as otherwise documented).

Aside from the manner in which the data is being hosted, we have not identified, as part of this change, any material change to the manner in which the data is being processed (in terms of data sharing and/or use).

The scope of the data processing is as detailed in the relevant GP Systems of Choice contract (and related call off contract (and deed of undertaking)) or as otherwise agreed in writing between EMIS Health and ourselves.

As noted above, aside from the hosting element the manner in which the data is being used or otherwise processed will not materially change as a result of this change.

Practice Charter

The care of your health is a partnership between yourself and the primary health care team. The success of that partnership depends on an understanding of each other’s needs and co-operation between us.

Our Responsibility To You:

• You will be greeted courteously.
• You have a right to confidentiality.
• You have the right to see your medical records subject to the limitations of the law.
• You will be seen the same day if your problem is urgent.
• You will be seen by your own doctor whenever possible.
• You will be informed if there will be a delay of more than 20 minutes for your appointment.
• You will be referred to a consultant when your GP thinks it necessary.
• You will be given the result of any test or investigation on request or at your next appointment.
• Your repeat prescription will normally be ready for collection within 48 hours of your request.
• Your suggestions and comments about the services offered will be considered sympathetically and any complaint dealt with quickly.

Your Responsibility To Us:

• Please treat all surgery staff with the same respect – we are all just doing our job.
• Do not ask for information about anyone other than yourself.
• Tell us of any change of name or address, so that our records are accurate.
• Only request an urgent appointment if appropriate.
• Home visits should only be requested if you are really too ill to attend surgery, and night visits should be for emergencies only.
• Please cancel your appointment if you are unable to attend.
• Please be punctual, but be prepared to wait if your own consultation is delayed by an unexpected emergency.
• Please allow sufficient time for your consultant’s letter or the results of any tests to reach us.
• Use the tear-off slip to request your repeat prescription whenever possible.
• Please attend for review, when asked, before your next prescription is due.
• We would, of course, be pleased to hear when you feel praise is due as well.

Care Quality Commission Declarations

Statement of Purpose

Part 1 – Provider’s name, legal status, address & contact details

Part 2 – Aims & Objectives

Part 3 – Locations – Adelaide Street

Part 3 – Locations – Elizabeth Street

Part 3 – Locations – Harris Medical Centre

Part 3 – Gorton Street

Part 4 – Registered Manager

Zero Tolerance (Violent Behaviour)

As an employer, the practice has a duty to care for the health and safety of its staff. The practice also has a legal responsibility to provide a safe and secure working environment for staff. All patients are expected to behave in an acceptable manner and violent or abusive behaviour towards staff or patients may result in removal from our practice list or even criminal proceedings. The practice follows the NHS guidance concerning Zero Tolerance.

The Practice has a policy of “zero tolerance” of verbal and physical violence towards GP’s, staff or other patients.

The practice will request the removal of any patient from the practice list who is aggressive or abusive towards a doctor, member of staff, other patient, or who damages property.

All instances of actual physical abuse on any doctor or member of staff, by a patient or their relatives will be reported to the police as an assault.

We expect all patients to be responsible and avoid attending the surgery under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Any alteration of prescriptions is illegal and will not be tolerated.

If you are seriously unhappy with the quality of service you have the right to register with another practice without notifying us. Similarly, on the very rare occasions when a patient repeatedly ignores their responsibilities to the Practice, we have the right to remove the patient from our Practice list.

Examples of Unacceptable Standards of Behaviour

• Violence.
• Excessive noise e.g. recurrent loud or intrusive conversation or shouting.
• Threatening or abusive language involving swearing or offence remarks.
• Derogatory racial or sexual remarks.
• Malicious allegations relating to members of staff, other patients or visitors.
• Offensive sexual gestures or behaviours.
• Abusing alcohol or drugs on practice premises.
• Drug dealing on practice premises.
• Wilful damage to practice property.
• Threats or threatening behaviour.
• Theft