The NHS asks you for information about yourself so that you can receive proper care and treatment. This information is kept together with details of your care, because it may be needed if you are seen again.
The NHS may use some of this information for other reasons for example:
- to help improve the health of the public generally
- to see that the NHS runs efficiently
- to plan for the future
- to train NHS staff
- to pay bills
- to carry out medical and other health research for the benefit of everyone
Sometimes the law requires the NHS to pass on information: for example, to notify a birth. The NHS Central Register for England and Wales contains basic personal details of all patients registered with a general practitioner. The register does not contain clinical information.
You may be receiving care and treatment from other organisations as well as the NHS. In these circumstances it may be necessary to share some information about you so that you receive the best possible treatment.
We only ever use or pass on information about you if people have a genuine need for it in your and everyone’s interests. Whenever we can we shall remove details which identify you. The sharing of some types of very sensitive personal information is strictly controlled by law.
If your doctor is requested to report information to external agencies such as solicitors or insurance companies, he/she will only do so with your explicit consent.
Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential.
If at any time you would like to know more about how we use your information you can speak to the surgery’s practice manager or write to: Patient Advice and Liaison Service , Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, Southgate House, Pans Lane, Devizes Wiltshire SN10 5EQ.
You have a right of access to your health records