Practice Policies & Patient Information
Access To Health Records
The practice is recognised as a teaching practice for fully qualified doctors (GP Registrars) who want to become General Practitioners in the future.
You are entitled by law to have access to your medical records which were written after 1st November 1991. You must apply in writing and a charge will be made. The doctor is entitled to withhold information that he or she considers maybe detrimental to you.
All our medical records are kept on our computers. Our paper records are kept safe and once they have been entered onto your personal file on our computers they are safely destroyed. We assure our patients of complete confidentiality and we abide by the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) of May 2018.
Your medical records cannot be accessed by other parties without your permission.
There is a charge if you require a part or all of your medical records to be photocopied, please see a receptionist to enquire about medical record and other document charges.
Confidentiality
The practice complies with Data Protection and Access to Medical Records legislation. Identifiable information about our patient’s will be shared with others in the following circumstances:
- To provide further medical treatment for our patient’s e.g. from district nurses and hospital services
- To help our patient’s 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 Anonymised 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 require 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.
Depending on which data records you want information about, request it in writing to the practice. Please include in dates of the records, our DPO (data protection officer) will decide on whether your request is improved or not. Information requested for another person will be refused.
Freedom Of Information
The ICO has published a new Model Publication Scheme that all public authorities are required to adopt by 1st January 2009.
Data Sharing
Our practice is participating in NHS national programme for IT. We share summary of all our patient’s vital clinical information i.e. Medication, Allergies and Adverse reaction to drugs, with the NHS Emergency Care Providers like A&E, Out Of Hours GP and Walk-in Centre.
This is to ensure that our patients receive safer and quality care during urgent or emergency situations.
We do not share your records with organisations that are not involved with your care without seeking your consent.
You may have the right to demand that this record is not shared with anyone who is not involved in the provision of your direct healthcare.
If you wish to enquire further as to your rights in respect of not sharing information on this record then please contact our Data Protection Officer.
To find out more about the wider use of confidential personal information please visit https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out-programme.
If you wish your data not to be shared you can op-out;
Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.
We understand how important it is to keep your personal information safe and secure and we take this very seriously. We have taken steps to make sure your personal information is looked after in the best possible way and we review this regularly.
Please read our GDPR Privacy Policy carefully, as it contains important information about how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect on your behalf.
Carers Policy
Chaperone Policy
What Is A Chaperone?
A chaperone is present as a safeguard for all parties (patient and health professionals) and is a witness to the conduct and the continuing consent of the procedure.
The precise role of the chaperone varies depending on the circumstances. It invariably includes providing a degree of emotional support and reassurance to patients, but may also incorporate:
- Assisting in the examination or procedure, for example handing instruments during Intra
- Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) insertion
- Assisting with undressing, dressing and positioning patients
- Providing protection to healthcare professionals against unfounded allegations of
improper behaviour.
Under no circumstances should a chaperone be used to reduce the risk of attack on a health professional. Where such concerns arise, Community Services Procedure of care for patients who are violent and abusive must be followed.
If you require a chaperone for an intimate examination please see the receptionist. If at the time it is not possible we will arrange an appointment so that a member of staff is free to accompany you.
This applies to male and female patients.
If the patient has requested a chaperone and none is available at that time the patient must be given the opportunity to reschedule their appointment within a reasonable timeframe (this may include simply waiting in the clinic or practice until a member of staff arrives on duty). If the seriousness of the condition would dictate that a delay is inappropriate then this should be explained to the patient and recorded in their note
Children and their parents or guardians must receive an appropriate explanation of the procedure in order to obtain their co-operation and understanding. If an under 16 presents in the absence of a parent or guardian the healthcare professional must ascertain if they are capable of understanding the need for examination.
Issues specific to religion, ethnicity, culture and sexual orientation should be taken into account and discussed, not presumed. We must all recognise that each individual has very different needs and procedures should be performed by a mutually agreed healthcare professional.
For patients with learning difficulties or mental health problems that affect capacity, a familiar individual such as a family member or carer may be the best chaperone. Adult patients with learning difficulties or mental health problems who resist an examination or procedure must be interpreted as refusing to give consent and the procedure must be abandoned.
By having a chaperone of the same sex as the patient present the examination may be made more acceptable. Also, alternatives would be sought i.e. appointment at a later date when chaperone available or at alternative site if correct gender of chaperone not available. If, at any time, this policy is considered to be discriminatory in any way, the patient should contact the practice manager to discuss their concerns.
Patient Confidentiality
In all cases where the presence of a chaperone may intrude in a confiding clinician-patient relationship their presence should be confined to the physical examination. Communication between the health professional and the patient should take place before and after the examination or procedure.
Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.
We understand how important it is to keep your personal information safe and secure and we take this very seriously. We have taken steps to make sure your personal information is looked after in the best possible way and we review this regularly.
Please read our GDPR Privacy Policy carefully, as it contains important information about how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect on your behalf.
Comments And Complaints
If you would like to write down your views;
- Please address your letter to Debra Garey (Practice Manager)
- Book an appointment with Debra Garey, in order to discuss your concerns. She will explain the complaints procedure to you and will make sure that your concerns are dealt with promptly and in strict confidence
Our complaints procedure is set out in the document below;
We understand how important it is to keep your personal information safe and secure and we take this very seriously. We have taken steps to make sure your personal information is looked after in the best possible way and we review this regularly.
Please read our GDPR Privacy Policy carefully, as it contains important information about how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect on your behalf.
DNA Policy
Introduction At LL Medical Care Ltd, a significant number of appointments per week are classified as
‘Did Not Attend’ (DNA). DNA refers to patients not turning up for their appointments without
contacting the surgery in advance to cancel or reschedule. The impact of DNAs includes:
• Increased waiting time for appointments
• Frustration for both staff and patients
• Wasted resources
• Potential health risks for the patient
By reducing the number of DNAs, we aim to:
• Enable more effective booking
• Allow efficient running of clinics
• Reduce costs
• Increase productivity
Policy
1. Initial Response to DNAs
o If a patient fails to attend a pre-booked appointment on more than one occasion
within a week, a text message will be sent to the patient or an
informal letter for patients without a mobile number.
2. Repeated Non-Attendance
o If a patient fails to attend more than three appointments within a six-month period,
an informal warning letter will be sent.
o If the patient misses another appointment within the next three months after the
initial warning letter, a second warning letter will be sent.
o Continued non-attendance after the second warning will result in the case being
reviewed by the Practice Manager and a Senior Partner to decide if the patient
should be removed from the practice list.
3. Considerations for Vulnerable Patients
o Specific consideration will be given to vulnerable patients who might have valid
reasons for not cancelling their appointments. Removals will only be approved if
deemed appropriate by a doctor familiar with the patient, following warnings and
opportunities for improvement.
4. Validity of Warning Letters
o Warning letters are valid for 12 months. Any removal based on warnings older than
12 months will be invalid. Only DNA appointments within a 12-month period will be
reviewed to determine the applicable stage of the policy.
5. Recording and Tracking DNAs
o DNAs will be recorded by clinicians and coded onto the clinical system.
o The Senior Administrator will run weekly searches on the DNA read code and
appointment book, sending out weekly texts, first and second warning letters, and
informing the Practice Manager.
6. Screening Appointments
o For patients with chronic conditions or those deemed “at risk” who fail to attend
screening or recall appointments, there is an implied duty to follow up. The
responsible clinician will contact the patient by telephone to determine the reason
and, if possible, re-arrange the appointment.
7. Monitoring and Reporting of DNAs
o The Senior Administrator will run weekly DNA searches, provide numbers to the
Practice Manager, and update the DNA tracker tool. Results will be periodically
reviewed by the Practice Manager and partners to monitor DNA levels.
8. Removing Patients from the Practice List
o Removal of patients from the practice list for repeatedly missing appointments will
comply with The NHS General Medical Service Regulations 2015. This includes
warning the patient of the risk of removal and explaining the reasons. A written
record of the removal, including the reason, circumstances, and grounds, will be
maintained.
o The Practice Manager will inform NHS England and request the patient’s removal
from the registered list, effective eight days after notification.
9. Late Arrivals
o If a patient arrives more than halfway into their appointment allocation time, they
will have to rebook their appointment unless under extreme extenuating
circumstances. To cancel an appointment, patients must do so at least one hour before the appointment time so it can be offered to another patient. Failure to do so
will result in it being recorded as a DNA.
GDPR Privacy Policy
GDPR Privacy Policy with L.L. Medical Care Ltd (Agarwal & Agrawal Practice)
We understand how important it is to keep your personal information safe and secure and we take this very seriously. We have taken steps to make sure your personal information is looked after in the best possible way and we review this regularly.
Please read this GDPR Privacy Policy carefully, as it contains important information about how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect on your behalf.
- Why Are We Providing This Service
We are required to provide you with this Privacy Notice by Law. It explains how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect, store and hold about you. If you are unclear about how we process or use your personal and healthcare information, or you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or any other issue regarding your personal and healthcare information, then please do contact our Data Protection Officer (details below).;The Law says:
– We must let you know why we collect personal and healthcare information about you;
– We must let you know how we use any personal and/or healthcare information we hold on you;
– We need to inform you in respect of what we do with it;
– We need to tell you about who we share it with or pass it on to and why; and
– We need to let you know how long we can keep it for. - The Data Protection Officer
The Data Protection Officer at the Surgery is Radja Mutchuswamy. You can contact them at the surgery if:
– You have any questions about how your information is being held;
– If you require access to your information or if you wish to make changes to your information;
– If you wish to make a complaint about anything to do with your healthcare information we hold about you
– Or any other query relating to this policy and your rights as a patient - About Us
We, at LL Medical Care Ltd. situated at Langthorne Health Centre. E11 4HX, are a Data Controller of your information. This means we are responsible for collecting, storing and handling your personal and healthcare information when you register with us as a patient.There may be times where we also process your information. That means we use it for a particular purpose and, therefore, on those occasions we may also be Data Processors. The purposes for which we use your information are set out in this Privacy Notice. - Information We Collect From You
The information we collect from you will include:- Your contact details (such as your name and email address, including place of work and work contact details);
– Details and contact numbers of your next of kin;
– Your age range, gender, ethnicity;
– Details in relation to your medical history;
– The reason for your visit to the Surgery;Medical notes and details of diagnosis and consultations with our GPs and other health professionals within the Surgery involved in your direct healthcare.
- Information About You From Others
We also collect personal information about you when it is sent to us from the following:- A hospital, a consultant or any other medical or healthcare professional, or any other person involved with your general healthcare. - Your Summary Care Record
Your summary care record is an electronic record of your healthcare history (and other relevant personal information) held on a national healthcare records database provided and facilitated by NHS England.This record may be shared with other healthcare professionals and additions to this record may also be made by relevant healthcare professionals and organisations involved in your direct healthcare.You may have the right to demand that this record is not shared with anyone who is not involved in the provision of your direct healthcare. If you wish to enquire further as to your rights in respect of not sharing information on this record then please contact our Data Protection Officer. To find out more about the wider use of confidential personal information and to register your choice to opt out if you do not want your data to be used in this way, please visit https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out-programme.
Note if you do choose to opt out, you can still consent to your data being used for specific purposes. However, if you are happy with this use of information you do not need to do anything. You may however change your choice at any time.
- Who May We Provide Your Personal Information To, And Why
Whenever you use a health or care service, such as attending Accident & Emergency or using Community Care Services, important information about you is collected to help ensure you get the best possible care and treatment. This information may be passed to other approved organisations where there is a legal basis, to help with planning services, improving care, research into developing new treatments and preventing illness. All of this helps in proving better care to you and your family and future generations. However, as explained in this privacy notice, confidential information about your health and care is only used in this way where allowed by law and would never be used for any other purpose without your clear and explicit consent.We may pass your personal information on to the following people or organisations, because these organisations may require your information to assist them in the provision of your direct healthcare needs. It, therefore, may be important for them to be able to access your information in order to ensure they may properly deliver their services to you:– Hospital professionals (such as doctors, consultants, nurses, etc);
– Other GPs/Doctors;
– Pharmacists;
– Nurses and other healthcare professionals;
– Dentists;
– Any other person that is involved in providing services related to your general healthcare, including mental health professionals. - Other People Who We Provide Your Information To
– Commissioners;- Clinical Commissioning Groups;– Local authorities;
– Community health services;
– Anyone you have given your consent to, to view or receive your record, or part of your record. Please note, if you give another person or organisation consent to access your record we will need to contact you to verify your consent before we release that record. It is important that you are clear and understand how much and what aspects of, your record you give consent to be disclosed.
– Extended Access – we provide extended access services to our patients which means you can access medical services outside of our normal working hours. In order to provide you with this service, we have formal arrangements in place with the Clinical Commissioning Group and with other practices whereby certain key “hub” practices offer this service on our behalf for you as a patient to access outside of our opening hours. This means, those key “hub” practices will have to have access to your medical record to be able to offer you the service. Please note to ensure that those practices comply with the law and to protect the use of your information, we have very robust data sharing agreements and other clear arrangements in place to ensure your data is always protected and used for those purposes only.
– Data Extraction by the Clinical Commissioning Group – the clinical commissioning group at times extracts medical information about you, but the information we pass to them via our computer systems cannot identify you to them. This information only refers to you by way of a code that only your practice can identify (it is pseudo-anonymised). This therefore protects you from anyone who may have access to this information at the Clinical Commissioning Group from ever identifying you as a result of seeing the medical information and we will never give them the information that would enable them to do this.
– For the purposes of complying with the law e.g. Police, Solicitors, Insurance Companies;
- Anonymised Information
Sometimes we may provide information about you in an anonymised form. If we do so, then none of the information we provide to any other party will identify you as an individual and cannot be traced back to you. - Your Rights As A Patient
The Law gives you certain rights to your personal and healthcare information that we hold, as set out below:Access And Subject Access Request
You have the right to see what information we hold about you and to request a copy of this information.If you would like a copy of the information we hold about you please email our Data Protection Officer. We will provide this information free of charge however, we may in some limited and exceptional circumstances have to make an administrative charge for any extra copies if the information requested is excessive, complex or repetitive. We have one month to reply to you and give you the information that you require. We would ask, therefore, that any requests.
If you make are in writing and it is made clear to us what and how much information you require.
A. Online Acess
You may ask us if you wish to have online access to your medical record. However, there will be certain protocols that we have to follow in order to give you online access, including written consent and production of documents that prove your identity.Please note that when we give you online access, the responsibility is yours to make sure that you keep your information safe and secure if you do not wish any third party to gain access.
B. Correction
We want to make sure that your personal information is accurate and up to date. You may ask us to correct any information you think is inaccurate. It is very important that you make sure you tell us if your contact details including your mobile phone number has changed.C. Removal
You have the right to ask for your information to be removed however, if we require this information to assist us in providing you with appropriate medical services and diagnosis for your healthcare, then removal may not be possible.D. Objection
We cannot share your information with anyone else for a purpose that is not directly related to your health, e.g. medical research, educational purposes, etc. We would ask you for your consent in order to do this however, you have the right to request that your personal and healthcare information is not shared by the Surgery in this way. Please note the Anonymised Information section in this Privacy Notice.E. Transfer
You have the right to request that your personal and/or healthcare information is transferred, in an electronic form (or other form), to another organisation, but we will require your clear consent to be able to do this. - Third Parties Mentioned On Your Medical Record
Sometimes we record information about third parties mentioned by you to us during any consultation. We are under an obligation to make sure we also protect that third party’s rights as an individual and to ensure that references to them which may breach their rights to confidentiality, are removed before we send any information to any other party including yourself. Third parties can include: spouses, partners, and other family members - How We Use Information About You
We use your personal and healthcare information in the following ways:- When we need to speak to, or contact other doctors, consultants, nurses or any other medical/healthcare professional or organisation during the course of your diagnosis or treatment or on going healthcare;– When we are required by Law to hand over your information to any other organisation, such as the police, by court order, solicitors, or immigration enforcement.
– We will never pass on your personal information to anyone else who does not need it, or has no right to it, unless you give us clear consent to do so.
- Legal Justification For Collecting And Using Your Information
The Law says we need a legal basis to handle your personal and healthcare information;A. Contract
We have a contract with NHS England to deliver healthcare services to you. This contract provides that we are under a legal obligation to ensure that we deliver medical and healthcare services to the public.B. Consent
Sometimes we also rely on the fact that you give us consent to use your personal and healthcare information so that we can take care of your healthcare needs.Please note that you have the right to withdraw consent at any time if you no longer wish to receive services from us.
C. Necessary Care
Providing you with the appropriate healthcare, where necessary. The Law refers to this as ‘protecting your vital interests’ where you may be in a position not to be able to consent.D. Law
Sometimes the Law obliges us to provide your information to an organisation (see above). - Special Categories
The Law states that personal information about your health falls into a special category of information because it is very sensitive. Reasons that may entitle us to use and process your information may be as follows:Public Interests:
Where we may need to handle your personal information when it is considered to be in the public interest. For example, when there is an outbreak of a specific disease and we need to contact you for treatment, or we need to pass your information to relevant organisations to ensure you receive advice and/or treatment;A. Consent
When you give us consent;B. Vital Interest
If you are incapable of giving consent, and we have to use your information to protect your vital interests (e.g. if you have had an accident and you need emergency treatment);C. Ddefending A Ckaim
If we need your information to defend a legal claim against us by you, or by another party;D. Proving You With Medical Care:
Where we need your information to provide you with medical and healthcare services - How Long We Keep Your Personal Information
We carefully consider any personal information that we store about you, and we will not keep your information for longer than is necessary for the purposes as set out in this Privacy Notice. - If English Is Not Your First Language
If English is not your first language you can request a translation of this Privacy Notice. Please contact our Data Protection Officer. - Complaints
If you have a concern about the way we handle your personal data or you have a complaint about what we are doing, or how we have used or handled your personal and/or healthcare information, then please contact our Data Protection Officer.However, you have a right to raise any concern or complaint with the UK information regulator, at the Information Commissioner’s Office: https://ico.org.uk/. - Our Website
The only website this Privacy Notice applies to is the Surgery’s website. If you use a link to any other website from the Surgery’s website then you will need to read their respective privacy notice. We take no responsibility (legal or otherwise) for the content of other websites. - Cookies
The Surgery’s website uses cookies. For more information on which cookies we use and how we use them, please see our Cookies Policy. - Security
We take the security of your information very seriously and we do everything we can to ensure that your information is always protected and secure. We regularly update our processes and systems and we also ensure that our staffs are properly trained. We also carry out assessments and audits of the information that we hold about you and make sure that if we provide any other services, we carry out proper assessments and security reviews. - Text Messaging And Contacting You
Because we are obliged to protect any confidential information we hold about you and we take this very seriously, it is imperative that you let us know immediately if you change any of your contact details.We may contact you using SMS texting to your mobile phone in the event that we need to notify you about appointments and other services that we provide to you involving your direct care, therefore you must ensure that we have your up to date details. This is to ensure we are sure we are actually contacting you and not another person. - Where To Find Our Privacy Policy
You may find a copy of this Privacy Notice in the Surgery’s reception, on our website, or a copy may be provided on request. - How Data Flows From Our Website, To You (Our Patient’s) And To External Sources, Such As Survey Monkey, Pharmacies and NHS Medical Facilities
Our GDPR Leaflet can be downloaded and printed from here - Processors Of Your Personal Data
In order for our practice to deliver the best possible service, the practice contracts processors to process your personal data, including patient data on their behalf.When we use a processor to process personal data, we will always have an appropriate legal agreement in place to ensure that they keep the data secure.They do not use or share information other than in accordance with our instructions and that they are operating appropriately.
Examples of functions that maybe carried out by a processor include;
– Companies that provide IT services and support, core clinical systems, systems which manage patient facing systems (such as our website and services accessible through the same), data hosting service providers, systems which facilitate appointment bookings or electronic prescription services, document management services.
– Delivery services (for example, if we were to arrange the delivery of medicines to you).
– Payment providers (if for example, you were paying for a prescription or another services such as travel vaccinations).
- Changes To Our Privacy Policy
We regularly review and update our privacy policy.
Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.
We understand how important it is to keep your personal information safe and secure and we take this very seriously. We have taken steps to make sure your personal information is looked after in the best possible way and we review this regularly.
Please read our GDPR Privacy Policy carefully, as it contains important information about how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect on your behalf.
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National Data Opt-Out Scheme
Data Collection
National Data Opt-Out – Purpose Of This Privacy Policy
Under data protection law we must tell you about how we use your personal information. This includes the personal information that we share with other organisations and why we do so. Our main GP practice privacy notice is on our website. This additional privacy notice provides details about the personal information that we are sharing with NHS Digital for its General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection.
NHS Digital is part of the NHS. It collects, analyses, publishes and shares data to improve everyone’s health and care. Read more about NHS Digital.
We use the term patient data to refer to personal information in the rest of this notice.
How The NHS And Care Services Use Your Information
L.L Medical Care Ltd (Agarwal & Agrawal Practice) is one of many organisations working in the health and care system to improve health care for patients.
Whenever you use a health or care service, such as attending Surgery for a consultation, 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:
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Improving the quality and standards of care provided
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Research into the development of new treatments
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Preventing illness and diseases
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Monitoring safety
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Planning services
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.
Most of the time, anonymised data is used for research and planning so that you cannot be identified in which case your confidential patient information isn’t needed.
You have a choice about whether you want your confidential patient information to be used in this way. If you are happy with this use of information you do not need to do anything. If you do choose to opt out your confidential patient information will still be used to support your individual care.
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;
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See what is meant by confidential patient information
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Find examples of when confidential patient information is used for individual care and examples of when it is used for purposes beyond individual care
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Find out more about the benefits of sharing data
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Understand more about who uses the data
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Find out how your data is protected
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Be able to access the system to view, set or change your opt-out setting
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Find the contact telephone number if you want to know any more or to set/change your opt-out by phone
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See the situations where the opt-out will not apply
You can also find out more about how patient information is used at;
- https://www.hra.nhs.uk/information-about-patients/(which covers health and care research); and
- https://understandingpatientdata.org.uk/what-you-need-know (which covers how and why patient information is used, the safeguards and how decisions are made)
You can select your opt-out by going here: https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/
You can change your mind about your choice at any time.
Data being used or shared for purposes beyond individual care does not include your data being shared with insurance companies or used for marketing purposes and data would only be used in this way with your specific agreement.
Health and care organisations have until 2020 to put systems and processes in place so they can be compliant with the national data opt-out and apply your choice to any confidential patient information they use or share for purposes beyond your individual care. Our organisation is currently’ compliant with the national data opt-out policy. “
Opt-Out
Type 1 Opt-Out (Opting Out of NHS Digital Collecting Your Data)
If you do not want your identifiable patient data (to be shared outside of the GP practice for purposes except your own care, you can register an opt-out with L.L Medical Care Ltd (Agarwal & Agrawal 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, patients who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out will be informed. There is more information about National Data Opt-outs below.
NHS Digital will not collect any patient data for patients who have already registered a Type 1 Opt-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 for the purposes above, you can register a Type 1 Opt-out with L.L Medical Care Ltd (Agarwal & Agrawal 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 1 July 2021.
If you have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out with L.L Medical Care Ltd (Agarwal & Agrawal Practice) your data will not be shared with NHS Digital.
If you wish to register a Type 1 Opt-out with L.L Medical Care Ltd (Agarwal & Agrawal Practice) before data sharing starts with NHS Digital, this should be done by returning this form to L.L Medical Care Ltd (Agarwal & Agrawal Practice) 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 send the form by post or email to L.L Medical Care Ltd (Agarwal & Agrawal Practice) or call 0300 3035678 for a form to be sent out to you.
If you register a Type 1 Opt-out after your patient data has already been shared with NHS Digital, no more of your data will be shared with NHS Digital. NHS Digital will however still hold the patient data which was shared with them before you registered the Type 1 Opt-out.
If you do not want NHS Digital to share your identifiable patient data (personally identifiable data in the diagram above) with anyone else for purposes beyond your own care, then you can also register a National Data Opt-out.
Type 1 Opt-Out (Opting Out of NHS Digital Collecting Your Data)
This applies to identifiable patient data about your health, which is called confidential patient information. If you don’t want your confidential patient information to be shared by NHS Digital with other organisations for purposes except your own care – either GP data, or other data it holds, such as hospital data – you can register a National Data Opt-out.
If you have registered a National Data Opt-out, NHS Digital won’t share any confidential patient information about you with other organisations, unless there is an exemption to this, such as where there is a legal requirement or where it is in the public interest to do so, such as helping to manage contagious diseases like coronavirus. You can find out more about exemptions on the NHS website.
From 1 October 2021, the National Data Opt-out will also apply to any confidential patient information shared by the GP practice with other organisations for purposes except your individual care. It won’t apply to this data being shared by GP practices with NHS Digital, as it is a legal requirement for us to share this data with NHS Digital and the National Data Opt-out does not apply where there is a legal requirement to share data.
You can find out more about and register a National Data Opt-out, or change your choice on nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or by calling 0300 3035678.
Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.
We understand how important it is to keep your personal information safe and secure and we take this very seriously. We have taken steps to make sure your personal information is looked after in the best possible way and we review this regularly.
Please read our GDPR Privacy Policy carefully, as it contains important information about how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect on your behalf.
PALS (Patient Advice And Liaison Service)
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.
You can find officers from PALS in your local hospital.
How Can PALS Help?
PALS provides help in many ways. For example, it can;
- Help with health-related questions
- Help resolve concerns or problems when you’re using the NHS
- Tells you how to get more involved in your healthcare
PALS can give you information about;
- The NHS
- The NHS complaints procedure, including how to get independent help if you want to make a complaint
- Support groups outside the NHS
PALS also helps to improve the NHS by listening to your concerns and suggestions.
How Do I Contact My Nearest PALS?
You can find your nearest PALS office on the NHS Choices website.
You can also ask your GP surgery, hospital or phone NHS 111 for details of your nearest PALS.
Complaining About The Use Of The Mental Health Act
If you wish to make a complaint about a mental health service, you should either contact the service provider or the local CCG.
But if you wish to complain about the use of the Mental Health Act on someone detained in hospital or put on a guardianship or under a community treatment order, complain to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
You can find detailed guidance on the CQC website.
Making A Complaint
If you’re not happy with an NHS service, you can make a complaint. You should complain to the person or organisation providing the service first, such as the GP, dentist, hospital or pharmacist. Alternatively, you can complain to the commissioner of that service – either NHS England or the area Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
In general, NHS England commissions most primary care services, such as GP and dental services. CCG’s oversee the commissioning of secondary care, such as hospital care and some community services.
Read the answers to more questions about NHS services and treatments from the links below;
Resources
- Get involved in the NHS
- How do I make a complaint about my GP?
- How do I make a complaint about an NHS service?
- Feedback and complaints about the NHS in England
We understand how important it is to keep your personal information safe and secure and we take this very seriously. We have taken steps to make sure your personal information is looked after in the best possible way and we review this regularly.
Please read our GDPR Privacy Policy carefully, as it contains important information about how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect on your behalf.
Private Work Involving Vicarious Liability Policy
Date of Policy: October 2024
Author: Musonda Primo
Review Date: October 2025
Purpose:
This policy outlines the types of private work that our GP surgery will not undertake, particularly where there is a risk of vicarious liability. The primary objective is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both our patients and healthcare professionals, while maintaining the highest standards of clinical care within the scope of our NHS services.
Scope:
This policy applies to all patients registered at our GP surgery and addresses private work requests that may expose the practice or its clinicians to vicarious liability.
Policy Statement:
Our GP surgery is committed to providing high-quality care within the scope of NHS services.
However, we do not undertake private work that may involve specialist assessments or activities
which present a significant risk of vicarious liability. These include, but are not limited to, the
following:
• Fitness-to-fly assessments
• Clearance for high-risk sports (e.g., mountaineering, skydiving, paragliding)
• Certification for participation in sporting events (e.g., marathons, triathlons)
• Diving medicals (beyond DVLA statements of fact) or fitness-to-dive assessments
• Medical certifications for extreme sports or adventure travel
Rationale:
These types of private work often require specialist knowledge and expertise that fall outside the
general practice remit. Moreover, issuing certifications for such activities may expose the GP surgery
to potential legal risks, including vicarious liability, if an adverse event occurs.
Our GPs are trained to provide general medical services and support within the NHS framework.
Specialist assessments should be undertaken by professionals with specific expertise in those fields, and we encourage patients to seek advice from appropriately qualified clinicians or agencies for such requests.
What We Do Offer:
Our GP surgery continues to offer a wide range of services under the NHS, including:
• General health advice
• Chronic disease management
• Routine medical checks
• Referrals to specialist services where appropriate
Alternative Options:
For private work not covered under this policy, patients are advised to seek independent medical assessments from specialists in the relevant fields. These might include:
• Occupational health specialists
• Sports physicians
• Aviation or diving medical examiners
• Travel medicine clinics
Conclusion:
This policy is in place to safeguard both our patients and the surgery from the legal risks associated with vicarious liability. We are happy to support our patients in accessing the appropriate services for their private health needs through appropriate referrals or guidance.
For further questions or clarification regarding this policy, please contact our Practice Manager.
Treatment Of Consent (Under 16’s)
The forms are available from Reception and a separate form is required for EACH VISIT. Please feel free to take a couple just in case;
Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.
We understand how important it is to keep your personal information safe and secure and we take this very seriously. We have taken steps to make sure your personal information is looked after in the best possible way and we review this regularly.
Please read our GDPR Privacy Policy carefully, as it contains important information about how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect on your behalf.