At our GP surgery, we take confidentiality very seriously. We believe that all patients have the right to privacy and to have their personal information kept confidential. Confidentiality means that any information you share with us, including your medical history, test results, and treatment plans, will only be shared with those who provide you with the best possible care.

Maintaining confidentiality is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to build trust between patients and healthcare professionals. Patients need to feel that they can share personal and sensitive information with the receptionist, doctors, or nurses without fear of it being shared with others without their consent.

Secondly, confidentiality is important for protecting patients' rights to privacy. Personal medical information is sensitive and private, and patients have a right to know that their information is being handled in a professional and responsible manner.

Finally, confidentiality is a legal requirement. Our healthcare professionals receive regular training in the importance of confidentiality and the legal requirements around the sharing of medical information. We have strict policies and procedures in place to ensure that your information is always kept safe and secure.

If you have any concerns about confidentiality or the sharing of your medical information, please do not hesitate to speak to our practice manager on 0151 244 4550. We are here to listen, support and ensure that your confidentiality is always respected and protected.

GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation

GDPR came into force on 25th May 2018, this was designed to modernise laws that protect the personal information of individuals.

The Practice handles medical records in-line with the laws on data protection and confidentiality. All patients’ records on file or computer are completely confidential. The Practice complies with the access to Medical Records Act, the Data Protection Act, and the Freedom of Information Act. 

Access to patient records is limited to health professionals and administration staff who are bound by a code of confidentiality. To maintain confidentiality, test results will only be given to the patients themselves, power of attorney, carer, or parents of minors.

Primary Care Networks:

All practices in the UK are members of a Primary Care Network (PCN), which is a group of practices who have chosen to work together and with local community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services to provide care to their patients.

PCNs are built on the core of current primary care services and enable greater provision of proactive, personalised, coordinated and more integrated health and social care.

We are members of Kirkby PCN.

This arrangement means that practices within the same PCN may share data with other practices within the PCN, for the purpose of patient care (such as extended hours appointments and other services), Each practice within the PCN is part of a stringent data sharing agreement that means that all patient data shared is treated with the same obligations of confidentiality and data security.

Confidentiality & Medical Records

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 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.

Reception and Administration staff require access to your medical records to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

To protect your confidentiality, we will not disclose any medical information over the telephone or fax unless we are sure that we are talking to you. This means that we will not disclose information to your family, friends, and colleagues about any medical matters at all, unless we know that we have your consent to do so. 

Freedom of Information

Information about the General Practitioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the Practice Manager.