We ask you for information so that you can receive proper care.
We keep this information, together with details of your care, because it may be needed if we see you again.
We may use some of this information for other reasons: for example, to help us protect the health of the public generally and to see that the NHS runs efficiently, plans for the future, trains its staff, pays its bills and can account for its actions. Information may also be needed to help educate tomorrow’s clinical staff and carry out medical and other health research for the benefit of everyone.
Sometimes the law requires us to pass on information: for example, to notify a birth.
You have a right of access to your medical records.
EVERYONE WORKING FOR THE NHS HAS A LEGAL DUTY TO KEEP INFORMATION ABOUT YOU CONFIDENTIAL.
You may be receiving care from other people as well as the NHS. So that we can all work together for your benefit we may need to share some information about you. We only ever use or pass on information about you if people have a genuine need for it in your and everyone’s interests. Whenever we can we shall remove details that identify you.
Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential.
If you agree, your relatives, friends and carers may be kept up to date with the progress of your treatment.
THE MAIN REASONS FOR WHICH YOUR INFORMATION MAY BE NEEDED ARE:
- Giving you healthcare treatment
- Looking after the health of the general public
- Managing and planning the NHS for example:
- Making sure that our services can meet patient need in the future
- Paying your doctor, nurse, dentist or other staff, and the hospital that treats you.
- The care they provide
- Auditing accounts
- Preparing statistics on NHS performance and activity (where steps will be taken to ensure you cannot be identified)
- Investigating complaints or legal claims
- Helping staff to review the care they provide to make sure it is of the highest standard.
- Training and educating staff (but you can choose whether or not to be involved personally)
- Research approved by the Local Research Ethics Committee. (If anything to do with the research would involve you personally, you will be contacted to see if you are willing.)
If at any time you would like to know more about how we use your information you can speak to the person in charge of your care.
Please take time to read this leaflet. You need to make a choice.