What is a privacy notice?
A privacy notice is a statement that discloses some or all of the ways in which the practice gathers, uses, discloses and manages a patient’s data. It fulfils a legal requirement to protect a patient’s privacy.
Why do we need one?
To ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Prime Care Medical Centre must ensure that information is provided to patients about how their personal data is processed in a manner which is:
- Concise, transparent, intelligible and easily accessible;
- Written in clear and plain language, particularly if addressed to a child; and
- Free of charge
What is the GDPR?
The GDPR replaces the Data Protection Act 1998 and is designed to harmonise data privacy laws across Europe, to protect and empower all EU citizens’ data privacy and to reshape the way in which organisations across the region approach data privacy. The GPDR came into effect on 25 May 2018.
How do we communicate our privacy notice?
At Sancta Maria Centre, the practice privacy notice is displayed on our website, through signage in the reception area(s), and in writing during patient registration (by means of a leaflet). We will:
- Inform patients how their data will be used and for what purpose
- Allow patients to opt out of sharing their data, should they so wish.
What information do we collect about you?
We will collect information such as personal details, including name, address, next of kin, records of appointments, visits, telephone calls, your health records, treatment and medications, test results, X-rays, etc. and any other relevant information to enable us to deliver effective medical care.
How do we use your information?
Your data is collected for the purpose of providing direct patient care; however, we can disclose this information if it is required by law, if you give consent or if it is justified in the public interest. The practice may be requested to support research; however, we will always gain your consent before sharing your information with medical research databases such as the Clinical Practice Research or others when the law allows.
Maintaining confidentiality
We are committed to maintaining confidentiality and protecting the information we hold about you. We adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the NHS Codes of Confidentiality and Security, as well as guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Risk stratification
Risk stratification is a mechanism used to identify and subsequently manage those patients deemed as being at high risk of requiring urgent or emergency care. Usually this includes patients with long-term conditions, e.g. cancer. Your information is collected by a number of sources, including ADD SURGERY NAME and this information is processed electronically and given a risk score which is relayed to your GP who can then decide on any necessary actions to ensure that you receive the most appropriate care.
Invoice validation
Your information may be shared if you have received treatment, to determine which Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for paying for your treatment. This information may include your name, address and treatment date. All of this information is held securely and confidentially; it will not be used for any other purpose or shared with any third parties.
Opt-outs
You have a right to object to your information being shared. Should you wish to opt out of data collection, please contact a member of staff who will be able to explain how you can opt out and prevent the sharing of your information; this is done by registering a Type 1 opt-out, preventing your information from being shared outside this practice.
Accessing your records
You have a right to access the information we hold about you, and if you would like to access this information, you will need to complete a Subject Access Request (SAR). Please write in to the Practice Manager to request this and you will be given further information. Furthermore, should you identify any inaccuracies, you have a right to have the inaccurate data corrected.
GDPR provides 8 main rights for individuals, these are:
- The right to be informed
- The right of access
- The right to rectification
- The right to erasure
- The right to restrict processing
- The right to data portability
- The right to object
- Rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling.
Retention of data
In accordance with the NHS Codes of Practice for Records Management
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/looking-after-information/data-security-and-information-governance/codes-of-practice-for-handling-information-in-health-and-care/records-management-code-of-practice-for-health-and-social-care-2016
Our Website
Privacy Notice only applies to the practice. Link to any other website, please read their Privacy Notice. WE TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY for content of other website.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files located in browser directories. When you visit a site that uses cookies for the first time, a cookie is downloaded onto your PC. The next time you visit that site, your PC checks to see if it has a cookie that is relevant (that is, one containing the site name) and sends the information contained in that cookie back to the site. The site then 'knows' that you have been there before, and in some cases, tailors what pops up on screen to take account of that fact.
Are they good or bad?
They are beneficial because they can record preferences and store data (e.g. what's in your online shopping cart). They can make sites easier to navigate and create a more personal browsing experience. The negative aspect of cookies is that information about you, however benign, is collected and stored by a website and can be used to market services to you or shared with a third party who may wish to do the same.
WiFi
Sancta Maria Centre provides free publicly accessible WiFi. The service has been kindly provided by Mid and South Essex ICB. Use of the WiFi service is conditional, and by making use of the WiFi provided, you are indicating your agreement to the terms.
What to do if you have any questions
Should you have any questions about our privacy policy or the information we hold about you, you can:
Ask to speak to the practice manager
If you have a Complaint please contact the practice manager
(Please note –the practices process should include your complaints procedure i.e. if patient is not happy with the response from the surgery, they can contact the DPO and subsequently the ICO if they are still not satisfied with the response.)