Using and protecting your records
The practice asks you for information so that you can proper care and treatment. We keep this information, together with details of your care because it may be needed if we see you again.
We may use this information for other reasons : for example to help us protect the health of the public generally and to see that the NHS runs efficiently, plans for the future, trains its staff, can account for how it spends taxpayers money and the actions it takes on our behalf. Information may also be needed to help educate tomorrow’s clinical staff and to carry out medical and other health research for the benefit of everyone.
Sometimes the law requires us to pass on information, but in these circumstances we would see your permission first. However, we can disclose personal information about a patient if it is in the interest of either that person or the general public for example, on a missing person.
The NHS Central Register for England and Wales holds basic personal details of all patients registered with a general practitioner. The Register does not contain clinical information.
All staff working for the NHS have a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.
Who are our partner organisations?
We may also have to share your information, subject to strict agreements on how it will be used, with the following organisations;
- NHS England
- NHS Trusts
- Specialist Trusts
- Independent Contractors such as dentists, opticians, pharmacists
- Private Sector Providers
- Voluntary Sector Providers
- Ambulance Trusts
- Clinical Commissioning Groups
- Social Care Services
- Local Authorities
- Education Services
- Fire and Rescue Services
- Police
- Other ‘data processors’
You may be receiving care from other people as well as the NHS. So that we can all work together for your benefit we may need to share information about you. The surgery only ever uses or passes on information about you if people have a genuine need for it in your interest. We share clinical information about you with our colleagues in secondary care—by this we mean the hospitals that might treat you. So, if we refer you to see a consultant we will include details about you and your past medical history as well as why we are sending you to see someone. If you attend the Solihull GP led walk in centre, you will be asked if you want to share the details of your consultation with us. It helps us if you do agree in order that we keep an up to date record of all your treatment and prescriptions. Anyone who received information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential.
Your relatives, carers or friends can only be kept up to date with your medical history or treatment if you consent for this to happen. Children under the age of 16 are usually classed as minors and therefore information regarding their care is shared with their parents, unless they are thought to be able to understand their own treatment and condition.
NHS Data Sharing Agreements (PDF, 615KB)
COVID19 Privacy Notice (DOCX, 21KB)
Privacy Notice - Records Digitisation (PDF, 370KB)
EMIS Practices (DOCX, 222KB)
Vision Practices (DOCX, 216KB)
GDPR Candidate Privacy Notice (PDF, 492KB)
GDPR Privacy Notice (DOCX, 210KB)
SystemOne Practices (DOCX, 217KB)
Arden Medical Centre works with other health and social care organisations to share information that will form part of your Shared Care Record. The Shared Care Record allows health and care professionals involved in your care to view your records to help them understand your needs and make the best decisions with you, and for you. Information we hold about you will be available, to read only, to other health and care professionals in Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, and Herefordshire and Worcestershire when they are involved in your health or social care.
For more information on how your data is used on the Shared Care Record and how to exercise your rights please see the full Privacy Notice or copy and paste this link: www.livehealthylivehappy.org.uk/birmingham-and-solihull-shared-care-record/privacy-notice/.
Data for research
Clinical research is a major driver of innovation and central to NHS practice for maintaining and developing high standards of patient care.
Arden Medical Centre participates in Clinical Research and is a member of Research Ready, a web based self-accreditation assessment covering the minimum requirements for undertaking primary care research in the UK. Accredited practices are recognised by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).
Patients may be approached to participate in research. Any data disclosed would be confidential and patients may withdraw at any time.
Any data disclosed will be kept to the minimum required to serve the purpose and where possible will be anonymised before disclosure. If you are concerned about any of the ways in which your confidential data is being used further information is available from the Practice Manager.
Arden Medical Centre's fair processing document (PDF, 569KB)