How we use your information

• ✅ Your records are kept confidential and secure.
• ✅ Information is shared only with staff directly involved in your care.
• ✅ The NHS uses secure electronic systems so doctors and nurses always have the right information to look after you.

🔒 Who can see my records?

• Doctors, nurses, and health professionals directly involved in your care.
• Some administrative staff (e.g. receptionists, secretaries) may have limited access to book appointments or type referral letters.
• All staff follow the NHS duty of confidentiality and strict codes of conduct.

📊 Other uses of information

Sometimes, your information may also be used to:

• Train healthcare staff
• Audit and improve NHS services
• Plan future services
• Support public health (e.g. infectious disease reporting, immunisation programmes)
• Support approved research (only with your consent)

Where possible, this information is anonymised.

👀 Can I see my records?

• Yes — you have a legal right under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
• We must provide access to your records within one month (28 calendar days) of receiving your request.
• If your request is complex, this may be extended by up to a further two months — but we will notify you within the first month if this is the case.
• You can also apply for online access to your GP record.
• If you believe something is factually incorrect, you may request it be amended.

❌ Withholding information

Information may be withheld if:

• A senior clinician believes sharing it could cause serious harm to your physical or mental health, or that of others.
• The record contains third party information (not disclosed without consent).

👥 Third party consent

If you would like someone else (e.g. parent, carer) to discuss your care with us, you must provide written consent.

• Forms are available at reception, or
• By emailing the practice at tower.hill@nhs.net

✨ We want you to feel confident that your information is safe, secure, and used only to support your care.