Information Sharing

Introduction

This page explains why information is collected about you, the ways in which it may be used and who will be collecting it.

National Data Share 

The NHS wants to make sure you and your family have the best care now and in the future. Your health and adult social care information supports your individual care. It also helps us to research, plan and improve health and care services in England.  There are very strict rules on how this data can and cannot be used, and you have clear data rights. We are committed to keeping patient information safe and will always be clear on how it is used. You can choose whether or not your confidential patient information is used for research and planning.  

Read NHS Digital's response to the false information about the national data opt-out

Patient information on data sharing (both Type 1 and National Data Sharing):- 

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-collections-and-data-sets/data-collections/general-practice-data-for-planning-and-research/transparency-notice

To view a video which explains how/why this information is shared then please use this link:  https://youtu.be/YLi9gh7RyLA

To utilise the opt-out option please visit https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/ 

Please note that you can opt out of GP records being shared by completing the Type 1 data sharing opt out form and returning it to us but you cannot opt out of the National Data Share through your GP practice - you will need to access the link above and opt out online, via the NHS app, by telephone or by downloading a form to submit.  You will need your NHS number to do this and may need to contact the practice if you do not know what this is.

Summary Care Record (SCR)

If you decide to have a SCR, it will contain important information about any medicines you are taking, allergies you suffer from and any bad reaction to medicines that you have had.  This does not include diagnosis or any procedures.

Giving healthcare staff access to this information can prevent mistakes being made when caring for you in an emergency or when your GP practice is closed.  Your Summary Care Record will also include your name, address, date of birth and your unique NHS Number to help identify you correctly.  If you and your GP decide to include more information it can be added, but only with your express permission.

For more information see ‘Summary Care Record’ in ‘further information’ on this website.

Care and Health Information Exchange (CHIE) (Formerly Hampshire Health Record)

The CHIE is an electronic summary record for people living in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton.  GP Surgeries, hospital, social care and community care teams collect information about you and store it electronically on separate computer systems.  The CHIE stores summary information from these organisations in one place so that (with your consent) professionals can view it to deliver better care to you.  This record contains more information than the SCR, but is only available to organisations in Hampshire.

For more information see https://www.hantshealthrecord.nhs.uk/

Benefits of sharing information

Sharing information can help improve understanding, responses to different treatments and potential solutions. Information will also help to:

  • Provide better information to out of hours and emergency services
  • Prevent prescribing of medication to which you may already have an allergy
  • Make more informed prescribing decisions about drugs and dosages
  • Avoid unnecessary duplication in prescribing
  • Increase clinician confidence when providing care
  • Results of investigations, such as x-rays and laboratory tests
  • Reduce referrals, ambulance journey admissions, tests, time wastage and visits to healthcare premises
  • Find out basic details about you, such as address and Next of Kin

The law requires Doctors to provide some very limited information about certain things.  The law says, for example, that Doctors must provide information to local authorities about some infectious diseases (e.g. if you had food poisoning).  Very rarely, Doctors may be required to disclose information in order to detect a serious crime.  Likewise, a court order can require Doctors to disclose certain information during a court case.

Do I have a choice?

Yes.  You have the right to prevent confidential information about you from being shared or used for any purpose other than providing your care, except in special circumstances.  If you do not want information that identifies you to be shared outside this Practice, complete the opt out form at the bottom of this page.  This will prevent your confidential information being used other than where necessary by law.

Objecting on behalf of others

If you are a carer and have a Lasting Power of Attorney for health and welfare then you can object on behalf of the patient who lacks capacity.  If you do not hold a Lasting Power of Attorney then you can raise your specific concerns with the patient’s GP.

If you have parental responsibility and your child is not able to make an informed decision for themselves, then you can make a decision about information sharing on behalf of your child.  If your child is competent then this must be their decision.

Data Sharing opt out form

Fair processing Privacy Notice

*For all Privacy Notices please see General Data Protection Regulation tab within this website.



 
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