Confidentiality
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 anonymous 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 requires 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
Our patient records are computerised and we assure complete confidentiality. Your rights are protected by the Data Protection Act and we comply with the Freedom of Information Act.
Comments & Complaints
We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our 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 and she will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available on the complaints procedure from reception.
We are continually striving to improve our service. Any helpful suggestions would be much appreciated and a suggestion box is located at the reception desk.
The Northern Ireland Ombudsman
The website of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman explains the process of complaining about the NHS in NI.
Zero Tolerance
If a Patient is violent or abusive to staff they may be removed from the practice list.
Sharing of Patient Data
An information system has been developed whereby GP Practices can share Patient information with the Health & Social Care Board (HSCB) who will use this information to get a complete picture of what is happening across Health & Social Care and to plan services “according to Patients needs and what works best.
Patient identifiable information eg name and address will not be shared.
The data that is shared will be pseudonymised i.e. a unique pseudonym will be attached to each record that does not reveal the Patients identity.
The type of information shared, and how it is shared, is controlled by law and strict confidentiality rules.
If you have any queries regarding this initiative please speak to the Practice Manager. If you are happy for your information to be used then you do not need to do anything.
If you do not wish your information to be used, please contact the Practice Manager.