Practice Policies & Patient Information
Data Choices
Your Data Matters to the NHS
Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.
How your data is used
Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses is collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital. It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.
Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential patient information.
You have a choice
You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. There are currently two types of data opt-outs:
Type 1 – which relates to medical records held at the GP Practice
If you do not want your confidential patient information held in your GP medical record to be used for purposes other than your individual care, you can complete the Type 1 opt-out form and return it to the practice so that it can be recorded on your records. Type 1 Opt-Out Form
Type 2 – which relates to information held by NHS Digital
Type 2 have now been replaced by a national opt-out. Therefore, if you do not want NHS Digital to share confidential information that has been collected from across the health and care service for purposes other than your individual care, you can opt-out online at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or via the telephone service on: 0300 303 5678.
Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?
No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.
What do you need to do?
If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.
To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or to make/change your opt-out choice visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters
Privacy Notices
Privacy Notice & How We Use Your Data
For more information about how we use your data, please see the links below to the practice privacy notice and ‘how we use your data’ leaflet.
GP2GP
Statement of Intent
New contractual requirements from 1 April 2014 state that Practices should make available a statement of intent in relation to GP2GP (the transfer of patient medical records).
The Government requires all practices to use the electronic GP2GP facility for transferring patients records between practices when the patient registers or de-registers (not temporary registrations) by March 2015.
Ruddington Medical Centre is now using this facility for all transfers of patient records unless there is an issue with the receiving practice’s computer system which does not allow or provide such transfers. GP2GP is now live for Ruddington Medical Centre.
Transferring your electronic health record
Your GP practice holds copies of your patient health record electronically and in paper format. Both contain the healthcare information about you that your GP needs including your medical history, medications, allergies, immunisations and vaccinations.
If you have previously registered with a different GP in England, upon registering at this practice your electronic health record will, where possible, be transferred automatically from your previous practice through the use of an NHS system called GP2GP.
Patient benefits
When patients move practices, paper medical records can take weeks to arrive but GP2GP transfers are faster, more reliable and more secure than the existing paper-based method of transferring patient records. This means your new practice will have your full and detailed medical record available in time for your very first appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What is GP2GP?
GP2GP is the technology that transfers your electronic health record directly and securely from your previous GP when you register at this practice.
Does my old practice need to be using GP2GP for my electronic health record to be transferred electronically?
Yes, both practices need to be using GP2GP. If they are not, only your paper medical record will be sent and will include a print-out of your electronic health record from your previous practice.
What happens to my paper record?
Your paper medical record will also be transferred to this practice. This usually takes about six to eight weeks. In the future when all practices are using GP2GP the need for sending paper records may be reviewed.
What information will be transferred in my electronic health record?
The information contained within your electronic health record at your previous practice will be transferred. This includes information about your medications, allergies, adverse reactions, immunisations and vaccinations, laboratory results, diagnoses, medical history and letters from specialists.
Will my repeat prescriptions be automatically transferred as well?
Yes, GP2GP transfers all the information about your medications. Your new GP will review all the medicines you are taking before authorising any repeat prescription.
I am registering as a temporary resident. Will my electronic health record still be transferred electronically?
No. If you are registering as a temporary resident your health records remain at your usual practice and are not transferred either as paper or via GP2GP. Your temporary practice will contact your registered GP if they require any information.
Where can I find out more about GP2GP?
You can read about GP2GP on the Health and Social Care Information Centre website:www.hscic.gov.uk/gp2gp
Named GP
All our patients have a named, accountable GP who is responsible for patients’ overall care at the practice. Your named GP has been allocated to you by the practice. If you wish to know who your allocated GP is, please contact the practice. You can talk to or make appointments to see any of our doctors or nurses, not just your named GP. If you have a preference for a particular GP at the practice, please talk to one of our receptionists. We will do our very best to accommodate your request, although this cannot be guaranteed due to the different workloads of our GPs who work full time and part time.
Practice Policies
Confidentiality & Medical Records
The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:
- To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
- To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
- When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.
If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.
Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.
Freedom of Information
Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.
Access to Records
In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (2018) and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.
Patient Access to medical record
Compliments and Complaints
We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice. Help us to help you. We like to know when we’ve got it right so please let us know. Either speak to your doctor, nurse or the Practice Manager. You can also give us feedback via this website, via www.nhs.uk, or complete a comments form at the practice.
However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.
To pursue a complaint please contact the Practice Manager initially who will deal with your concerns appropriately and investigate further if applicable. Your complaint will be acknowledge within 3 working days. If you feel that you cannot raise your complaint with the surgery you can contact the Patient Experience Team at Greater Nottingham Clinical Commissioning Partnership Tel : 0800 028 3693 option 2 / 0115 8839570 OR NHS England-0300 311 2233. Please contact the surgery for further information or pick up a ‘Complaints and Comments’ leaflet at the surgery.
Violence Policy
The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.
Summary Care Record
There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.
Why do I need a Summary Care Record?
Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.
This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.
Who can see it?
Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.
How do I know if I have one?
Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP
Do I have to have one?
No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. You can use the form at the foot of this page.
More Information
For further information visit the NHS Care records website