Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) makes sure hospitals, care homes, dental and GP surgeries, and all other care services in England provide people with safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care, and encourages them to make improvements where possible.
They do this by inspecting services and publishing the results on their website: www.cqc.org.uk
You can use the results to help you make better decisions about the care you, or someone you care for, receives.
Our CQC Inspection
Our practice is inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure we are meeting essential standards of quality and safety.
This widget provides a summary of the results of the latest checks carried out by the CQC.
Accessibility
Accessibility Statement
This website is run by Silicon Practice. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
- Change colours, contrast levels and fonts
- Zoom in up to 200% without the text spilling off the screen
- Navigate the website using just a keyboard
- Navigate the website using speech recognition software
- Listen to the website using a screen reader, including the latest versions of JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver
- Read most of the website on devices without a screen, like a braille computer
We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand. The structure was created to simulate a real practice, which seeks improved usability for the patients.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible this website is
All of the pages within the website aim to conform to the Accessibility standards which are set out by the World-Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and other accessibility guidance. This website is tested against Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities, and user friendly for everyone. We designed all pages of this website to be fully accessible with the standards and encompass all disabilities that affect access to the Web, including:
- auditory
- cognitive
- neurological
- physical
- speech
- visual
What to do if you cannot access parts of this website
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:
- email info@siliconpractice.co.uk
- call 01793 710500
- send us a message in our Contact Page
We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 5 working days.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, message us on our Contact Page.
Enforcement procedure
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
Silicon Practice is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This website is fully compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AAA standard.
Compatibility with browsers and assistive technology
This website is designed to be compatible with the following assistive technologies;
- NVDA with Internet Explorer
- NVDA with Google Chrome
- NVDA with Firefox
- NVDA with Edge
- NVDA with Safari
- JAWS with Internet Explorer
- JAWS with Google Chrome
- JAWS with Firefox
- JAWS with Edge
- JAWS with Safari
How our site looks and work is based on HTML5, and we test for and support the following browsers:
- Google Chrome (versions in support)
- Mozilla Firefox (versions in support)
- Internet Explorer (version 9 and above)
- Microsoft Edge (versions in support)
- Apple Safari (versions in support)
Technical specifications
This website relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer:
- HTML
- WAI-ARIA
- JavaScript
These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.
How we test this website
This website was last tested on 18/08/2020. The test was carried out by Silicon Practice.
We tested our main website platform, available at westongrove.com. You can read the full Evaluation Report.
A variety of tools have been used to ensure the site compliance level:
- Arc Toolkit (by The Paciello Group)
- axe – Web Accessibility Testing (by Deque Systems)
- Accessibility Insights for Web (by Accessibility Insights)
- Web Accessibility (by Level Access)
- Markup Validation Service (by World Wide Web Consortium)
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
- AChecker
- Functional Accessibility Evaluator (FAE)
This statement was prepared on 10/12/2019.
It was last updated on 18/08/2020.
Annual Report
Each year we will be writing an annual report to highlight what we have achieved as a practice, and would like to share this with our patients.
CCTV
Please see the following information regarding CCTV at the practice:
- CCTV – Policy and Code of Practice
- CCTV – Bedgrove Surgery Code of Practice Leaflet
- CCTV – Aston Clinic Code of Practice Leaflet
- CCTV – Wendover Health Centre Code of Practice Leaflet
Change Subject Access Request (SARs) – Third Party Requests
Our practice has decided to outsource our medical reporting to MediData, who will process your medical report using their system, eMR.
What is eMR/MediData?
MediData is a NHS Digital accredited company who have developed a digital system called
eMR, which enables GP practices to create digital, GDPR compliant medical reports.
eMR helps GP Surgeries with data security, speed, and efficiency.
eMR also helps you to easily see your medical data, stay in control of it and decide who you want to share it with.
MediData has worked hard to develop their NHS GP IT Futures accredited technology, eMR,
which interfaces with our GP practice’s system to extract your medical record. This means you can receive a full copy of that information
securely and share it with others as you wish, keeping your data safe.
If you wish to speak to a member of the MediData team regarding your medical report, or any
concerns you may have regarding your data, please contact MediData directly on:
Phone – 0333 3055 774
Email – connect@medi2data.com
Complaints Procedure
Make a comment or complaint
Our ‘How to make a comment or complaint’ information sheet may be useful to you:
NHS England
Further details regarding complaints and the NHS are available from NHS England.
South East Complaints Hub
NHS Frimley ICB
Aldershot Centre for Health
Hospital Hill
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU11 1AY
Phone number: 0300 561 0290
Email address: frimleyicb.southeastcomplaints@nhs.net
More information on the BOB ICB website.
General Practice Data for Planning and Research
The NHS needs data about the patients it treats in order to plan and deliver its services and to ensure that care and treatment provided is safe and effective. The General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection will help the NHS to improve health and care services for everyone by collecting patient data that can be used to do this. For example, patient data can help the NHS to:
- monitor the long-term safety and effectiveness of care
- plan how to deliver better health and care services
- prevent the spread of infectious diseases
- identify new treatments and medicines through health research
GP practices already share patient data for these purposes, but this new data collection will be more efficient and effective.
This means that GPs can get on with looking after their patients, and NHS Digital can provide controlled access to patient data to the NHS and other organisations who need to use it, to improve health and care for everyone.
Opting out of NHS Digital collecting your data (Type 1 Opt-out)
If you do not want your identifiable patient data (personally identifiable data in the diagram above) to be shared outside of your GP practice for purposes except for your own care, you can register an opt-out with your GP practice. This is known as a Type 1 Opt-out.
Type 1 Opt-outs were introduced in 2013 for data sharing from GP practices, but may be discontinued in the future as a new opt-out has since been introduced to cover the broader health and care system, called the National Data Opt-out. If this happens people who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out will be informed. More about National Data Opt-outs is in the section Who the NHS shares patient data with.
Here is a brief video to explain –
NHS Digital will not collect any patient data for patients who have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out in line with current policy. If this changes patients who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out will be informed.
If you do not want your patient data shared with NHS Digital, you can register a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice. You can register a Type 1 Opt-out at any time. You can also change your mind at any time and withdraw a Type 1 Opt-out.
Data sharing with NHS Digital will start on 1st September 2021.
If you have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice your data will not be shared with NHS Digital.
To register a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice before data sharing starts with NHS Digital, the quickest way is by opting out directly via the NHS Digital website. The link to this is – https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice/
Alternatively, you complete our online Register your Type 1 Opt-Out Preference form by 23 June 2021 to allow time for processing it. If you have previously registered a Type 1 Opt-out and you would like to withdraw this, you can also use the form to do this.
You can also download the Register Your Type 1 Opt-out Preference form and send the form by post or email to your GP practice or call 0300 3035678 for a form to be sent out to you.
If you do not want your confidential information from any organisation to be used by other health and care organisations for research and planning, this cannot be coded at the practice. You will need to register a ‘national Data Opt Out’. This can be done by visiting NHS: Your Data Matters.
GP Earnings
All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.
The average pay for GPs who worked for six months or more in Westongrove in the last financial year was £64,426 before Tax and National Insurance.
This is for 4 full-time GP’s, 20 part-time GP’s and 2 locum GP’s.
GP Training
We are a training practice approved for the postgraduate training of doctors in general practice, and we view education as an integral part of the Westongrove organisation.
GP Registrars are fully qualified doctors who have mainly hospital experience. They consult jointly with our GPs and on their own, regularly videoing the consultation element of their surgeries for training purposes.
Herbert Protocol for dementia sufferers
What is the Herbert Protocol?
The Herbert Protocol initiative is named after George Herbert, a veteran of the Normandy landings, who lived with dementia.
It is a process to be used where there is a risk that a vulnerable person, particularly if they suffer from dementia, may go missing.
It consists of a form for recording key information which the police will require if the vulnerable person goes missing.
It’s for carers and relatives of vulnerable people, especially those with dementia, who are worried about them going missing.
They can complete the form in advance and then hand to the police when a loved one goes missing.
Carers, family members and friends should complete part one of the form in advance and obtain a recent photograph of the vulnerable person.
In the event of the vulnerable person going missing, part two should be completed, and the form, plus photograph, handed to the police.
The form can be used for any vulnerable person, not just those with dementia.
Who completes the form?
The vulnerable person and their family/carers, including care-home staff, should jointly complete part two. If appropriate, family/carers may do so on behalf of the vulnerable person.
The form should be completed as fully as possible and then kept regularly updated, so that all the information is accurate and current.
When should the form be given to the police?
The police only need the form at the point the person is reported missing and it will be used to assist with their enquiries to locate the missing person.
Where should the form be stored?
The form should be kept securely at the vulnerable person’s address, or may be held by a family member, a carer, a friend or a neighbour. It needs to be readily available when required.
The form can be downloaded below.
It can be completed by hand or electronically. A paper copy, plus the photograph, will need to be handed to the police officer who attends to take the missing person’s report.
What action should be taken if the person goes missing?
A search of the address, grounds and outbuildings should be undertaken and then the police alerted as soon as practicable.
Tell the police call-taker that a Herbert Protocol form is available.
In Times of Bereavement
If Death Occurs At Home
- Telephone the surgery who may need to arrange for a GP to visit to confirm that death has taken place. The receptionist will ask you for the deceased’s name and DOB, date and place of death, Funeral Director (if known) , is the deceased for burial or cremation (if known), name and contact number of the relative informing
- The GP will then be able to complete a death certificate if the death was expected. This will be emailed by our Administration team to the Registrar Office. Please give us the information of the Registrar if the burial/cremation will take place outside of Buckinghamshire
- The next of kin will then need to contact the Registrars Office, (for the area in which the death took place. Alternatively you can register by declaration at any convenient Registrars Office but certificates will not be available as these will have to be posted to you a few days later.
- The Registrar will normally issue a Green coloured certificate for you to give to your funeral director who will look after necessary arrangements for the funeral. The Registrar will also issue a white notification certificate for the DSS. They will also enquire as to the number of Certified Copies you require for dealing with the deceased finances (a fee is payable for each copy).
If the death is not expected the GP may need to liaise with the Coroner before a death certificate can be issued.
Note For Cremation
Your funeral director will usually liaise directly with the surgery regarding the additional certification required.
Patient charges for Non-NHS Services
Why do we charge for some services?
GPs are contracted to the NHS to provide medical services for their patients. This is provided for free. Where the patient seeks a service that is not included within this contract, a charge will be made.
Work outside doctors’ main NHS contracts, includes:
- Work for local and central government, e.g. social services work, mental health assessments.
- Work for the NHS that does not form part of their main contract, e.g. lectures to NHS staff, GP.
- Reports and examinations requested by third parties, e.g. insurance reports, medico-legal work.
- Reports and certificates requested by patients ,e.g. to support an application for a driving licence, private prescriptions, letters for school or work.
- We ask to be allowed 7-10 working days to complete these requests.
Benefits Requests
Sometimes we get requests from patients who require a letter of support to confirm they were unable to claim benefits at the correct time due to physical or mental illness. This may help them have benefits back dated. If you request a letter for this purpose there will be a charge made.
Housing Requests
We also have requests from patients who wish to provide information to the housing department. It is always advisable to contact Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) on 01296 585197 / 01296 585168 before you request a letter of this sort, as it may not be beneficial to your case, yet a charge will be incurred. You can also visit Aylesbury Vale District Council.
Examination / School Requests
During the school year we sometimes receive requests from parents for a letter to confirm that the reason their child has missed and exam or not performed to their normal standard is because the child has been ill. These letters incur a charge as they do not form part of standard NHS work. We have received a letter from OFQUAL (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Register) to say that awarding organisations make no requirement for pupils to obtain a medical certificate or letter in support of an application for special consideration. OFQUAL have contacted the Department of Children Schools and Families and asked them to make local authorities aware of this fact.
The letter can be found here:
Current Price List
Please see below for a guidance price list. GPs are required to register for VAT, therefore, the basic rate of VAT will be added, where applicable to the price of the service.
Charges apply to both adults and children.
A separate information leaflet is available for patients that explains our charging policy in relation to Travel Vaccinations. Westongrove is not currently able to offer any travel appointments due to appointment capacity. Patients will need to contact a private clinic. If you require information about your immunisations this can be found on your NHS App and your NHS account.
Non-NHS services not detailed below will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
For further information please contact the following person at your surgery, through the switchboard.
- Aston Clinton: Reception Team 01296 630241
- Bedgrove: Secretaries 01296 330330
- Wendover: Secretaries 01296 623452
Please download and view our current price list.
Prescribing Interval Policy
Westongrove Partnership follow the Aylesbury Vale CCG 28 Day Prescribing Policy. AVCCG recommends that the usual length of both acute and repeat prescriptions should be 28 days.
For more information please view the AVCCG Prescribing Interval Policy.
For more information on Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) please visit the NHS Business Services Authority website.
Protecting Your Confidentiality (Privacy Notice)
Your information, what you need to know
This privacy notice explains why we collect information about you, how that information will be used, how we keep it safe and confidential and what your rights are in relation to this.
Why we collect information about you
Health care professionals who provide you with care are required by law to maintain records about your health and any treatment or care you have received. These records help to provide you with the best possible healthcare and help us to protect your safety.
We collect and hold data for the purpose of providing healthcare services to our patients and running our organisation which includes monitoring the quality of care that we provide. In carrying out this role we will collect information about you which helps us respond to your queries or secure specialist services. We will keep your information in written form and/or in digital form.
Our Commitment to Data Privacy and Confidentiality Issues
As a GP practice, all of our GPs, staff and associated practitioners are committed to protecting your privacy and will only process data in accordance with the Data Protection Legislation. This includes the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) now known as the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018, the Law Enforcement Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/680) (LED) and any applicable national Laws implementing them as amended from time to time. The legislation requires us to process personal data only if there is a legitimate basis for doing so and that any processing must be fair and lawful.
In addition, consideration will also be given to all applicable Law concerning privacy, confidentiality, the processing and sharing of personal data including the Human Rights Act 1998, the Health and Social Care Act 2012 as amended by the Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Act 2015, the common law duty of confidentiality and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations.
Data we collect about you
Records which this GP Practice will hold or share about you will include the following:
- Personal Data – means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘data subject’); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
- Special Categories of Personal Data – this term describes personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, and the processing of genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning health or data concerning a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation.
- Confidential Patient Information – this term describes information or data relating to their health and other matters disclosed to another (e.g. patient to clinician) in circumstances where it is reasonable to expect that the information will be held in confidence. Including both information ‘given in confidence’ and ‘that which is owed a duty of confidence’. As described in the Confidentiality: NHS code of Practice: Department of Health guidance on confidentiality 2003.
- Pseudonymised – The process of distinguishing individuals in a dataset by using a unique identifier which does not reveal their ‘real world’ identity.
- Anonymised – Data in a form that does not identify individuals and where identification through its combination with other data is not likely to take place
- Aggregated – Statistical data about several individuals that has been combined to show general trends or values without identifying individuals within the data.
How we use your information
Improvements in information technology are also making it possible for us to share data with other healthcare organisations for the purpose of providing you, your family and your community with better care. For example, it is possible for healthcare professionals in other services to access your record with or without your permission when the practice is closed. Where your record is accessed without your permission it is necessary for them to have a legitimate basis in law. This is explained further in the Local Information Sharing at Appendix A.
Whenever you use a health or care service, such as attending Accident & Emergency or using Community Care services, important information about you is collected in a patient record for that service. Collecting this information helps to ensure you get the best possible care and treatment.
The information collected about you when you use these services can also be used and provided to other organisations for purposes beyond your individual care, for instance to help with:
- improving the quality and standards of care provided by the service
- research into the development of new treatments and care pathways
- preventing illness and diseases
- monitoring safety
- planning services
- risk stratification
- Population Health Management
Safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults
If we have significant concerns or hear about an individual child or vulnerable adult being at risk of harm, we may share relevant information with other organisations, such as local authorities and the Police, involved in ensuring their safety.
Statutory disclosures
Sometimes we are duty bound by laws to disclose information to organisations such as the Care Quality Commission, the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency, the General Medical Council, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and Counter Fraud services. In these circumstances we will always try to inform you before we are required to disclose and we only disclose the minimum information that the law requires us to do so
This may only take place when there is a clear legal basis to use this information. All these uses help to provide better health and care for you, your family and future generations. Confidential patient information about your health and care is only used like this where allowed by law or with consent.
Pseudonymised or anonymised data is generally used for research and planning so that you cannot be identified.
A full list of details including the legal basis, any Data Processor involvement and the purposes for processing information can be found in Appendix A.
How long do we hold information for?
All records held by the Practice will be kept for the duration specified by national guidance from Records Management Code of Practice – NHSX. Once information that we hold has been identified for destruction it will be disposed of in the most appropriate way for the type of information it is. Personal confidential and commercially confidential information will be disposed of by approved and secure confidential waste procedures. We keep a record of retention schedules within our information asset registers, in line with the Records Management Code of Practice for 2021.
Individuals Rights under UK GDPR
Under UK GDPR 2016 the Law provides the following rights for individuals. The NHS upholds these rights in a number of ways:
- The right to be informed
- The right of access
- The right to rectification
- The right to erasure (not an absolute right) only applies in certain circumstances
- The right to restrict processing
- The right to data portability
- The right to object
- Rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling.
Your right to opt out of data sharing and processing
The NHS Constitution states, ‘You have a right to request that your personal and confidential information is not used beyond your own care and treatment and to have your objections considered’.
Type 1 Opt Out
This is an objection that prevents an individual’s personal confidential information from being shared outside of their general practice except when it is being used for the purposes of their individual direct care, or in particular circumstances required by law, such as a public health screening, or an emergency like an outbreak of a pandemic disease. If patients wish to apply a Type 1 Opt Out to their record, they should make their wishes known to the Practice Manager.
National data opt-out (NDOO)
The national data opt-out was introduced on 25 May 2018, enabling patients to opt-out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes, in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in her Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs.
The national data opt-out replaces the previous ‘Type 2’ opt-out, which required NHS Digital not to use a patient’s confidential patient information for purposes beyond their individual care, for Planning or Research. Any patient that had a type 2 opt-out recorded on or before 11 October 2018 has had it automatically converted to a national data opt-out. Those aged 13 or over were sent a letter giving them more information and a leaflet explaining the national data opt-out. For more information go to National data opt out programme
To find out more or to register your choice to opt out, please visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.
On this web page you will:
- See what is meant by confidential patient information
- Find examples of when confidential patient information is used for individual care and examples of when it is used for purposes beyond individual care
- Find out more about the benefits of sharing data
- Understand more about who uses the data
- Find out how your data is protected
- Be able to access the system to view, set or change your opt-out setting
- Find the contact telephone number if you want to know any more or to set/change your opt-out by phone
- See the situations where the opt-out will not apply
Right of Access to your information (Subject Access Request)
Under Data Protection Legislation everybody has the right of access to, or request a copy of, information we hold that can identify them, this includes medical records. There are some safeguards regarding what patients will have access to and they may find information has been redacted or removed for the following reasons;
- It may be deemed to risk causing harm to the patient or others
- The information within the record may relate to third parties who are entitled to their confidentiality, or who have not given their permission for the information to be shared.
Patients do not need to give a reason to see their data. And requests can be made verbally or in writing. Although we may ask them to complete a form in order that we can ensure that they have the correct information required.
Where multiple copies of the same information is requested the surgery may charge a reasonable fee for the additional copies.
Patients will need to provide proof of identity to receive this information. We will not share information relating to you with other individuals without your explicit instruction or without sight of a legal document.
Patients may also request to have online access to their data, they may do this via the NHS APP, or via the practice’s system. If you would like to access your GP record online click here https://www.westongrove.com/online-requests/
COVID Passport access
Patients may access their Covid passport via the link, the practice cannot provide this document as it is not held in the practice record. If you have any issues gaining access to your Covid Passport or letter you should call: 119
Change of Details
It is important that you tell the surgery if any of your contact details such as your name or address have changed, or if any of your other contacts details are incorrect including third party emergency contact details. It is important that we are made aware of any changes immediately in order that no information is shared in error.
Mobile telephone number
If you provide us with your mobile phone number, we will use this to send you text reminders about your appointments or other health related information. It is within our legal duty as a public authority to keep our patients updated with important information.
Email address
Where you have provided us with your email address, we will use this to send you information relating to your health and the services we provide. If you do not wish to receive communications by email please let us know.
Notification
Data Protection Legislation requires organisations to register a notification with the Information Commissioner to describe the purposes for which they process personal and sensitive information.
We are registered as a Data Controller and our registration can be viewed online in the public register at: http://ico.org.uk/what_we_cover/register_of_data_controllers
Any changes to this notice will be published on our website and in a prominent area at the Practice.
Data Protection Officer
Should you have any data protection questions or concerns, please contact our Data Protection Officer via the surgery at: wendover.surgery@nhs.net
What is the right to know?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) gives people a general right of access to information held by or on behalf of public authorities, promoting a culture of openness and accountability across the public sector. You can request any non-personal information that the GP Practice holds, that does not fall under an exemption. You may not ask for information that is covered by the Data Protection Legislation under FOIA. However, you can request this under a right of access request – see section above ‘Access to your information’.
Right to Complain
If you have concerns or are unhappy about any of our services, please contact the Site Managers listed below:
Aston Clinton Surgery – Enfys Lewis – astonclinton.surgery@nhsnet
Bedgrove Surgery – Bernie Flynn – bedgrove.surgery@nhs.net
Wendover Health Centre – Jessica Walsh – wendover.surgery@nhs.net
Or via the ICO details listed below.
For independent advice about data protection, privacy and data-sharing issues, you can contact:
The Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 0303 123 1113 Website: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us
The NHS Care Record Guarantee
The NHS Care Record Guarantee for England sets out the rules that govern how patient information is used in the NHS, what control the patient can have over this, the rights individuals have to request copies of their data and how data is protected under Data Protection Legislation.
The NHS Constitution
The NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. It sets out the rights patients, the public and staff are entitled to. These rights cover how patients access health services, the quality of care you’ll receive, the treatments and programs available to you, confidentiality, information and your right to complain if things go wrong.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england
Sharing Your Clinical Data
Information Sharing
Sharing of Clinical Data
As part of the NHS, the GP Surgery is obliged to share certain information with other organisations, both NHS & third Party. The sharing of data is strictly governed by the Data Protection & Caldicott guidelines. We share information for 3 main reasons:
- To help other healthcare profesionals provide the best care for you.
- To provide statistical information to help with disease management and best practice.
- For continued improvement in quality of services we provide for you.
As part of the contract between GPs and the NHS, we are required to undertake a number of patient surveys. Some surveys are conducted within the practice. National surveys require us to provide patient names and addresses to a third party company. This is so that forms can be posted to patients. The company acts under very strict contractual guidelines to keep your details safe.
In order to provide the best care, doctors and nurses in other NHS organisations need to know the best way to treat our patients. Limited clinical information is shared for a referral and also for the Common Health Record – a system for a number of organisations to submit their information to create a complete record for everyone. This is especially useful in emergencies.
The new Electronic Prescription Service will send limited information on your medication to the NHS Prescriptions Pricing Authority and your nominated pharmacy.
Further Information and leaflets can be obtained from reception.
- Information is shared to improve the way we care for you.
- The Common Healthcare Record is an amalgamation of information from a number of NHS organisations including GP Practices.
- The Common Healthcare Record helps other healthcare professionals to decide how best to treat you.
- The Electronic Prescriptions Service will send patient and therapy information to the pharmacy of your choice.
- Patient names are given to a third party company under strict conditions to conduct patient surveys.
- Anonymous statistical information is reported to assist with disease management.
- You may decide not to have your information shared. To stop your data being sent please see reception.
Useful information:
- Poster – How we use your information
- Leaflet – Keeping your records safe
Sharing your Patient Record
View information about sharing your patient record.
Subject Access Request (SARs)
As you will need to submit Proof of Identity on Application, please visit your practice to complete the SARs Application Form.
To establish your identity and address, the application must be accompanied by an original document(s) bearing your FULL NAME, DATE of BIRTH, and ADDRESS (e.g Driving Licence).
Text Messaging Service
At Westongrove Partnership we operate a free text messaging service. We will send texts to remind you about appointments, let you know when flu clinics are happening, share information from the surgery via our patient newsletter, send Friends and Family Test requests and other useful information from the surgery if we have your mobile phone number.
We will assume that you wish to use this service unless you tell us in writing that you would prefer not to be included by emailing westongrove.admin@nhs.net. We can then opt you out of this service meaning you will no longer receive text messages of any sort from us.
Please check with reception that we have your correct mobile number. If you share a mobile number or phone with someone else they may receive your messages, so let us know if anything needs updating.