There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.
Why do I need a Summary Care Record?
Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.
This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.
Who can see it?
Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.
Do I have to have one?
No, it is not compulsory.
More Information
For further information visit the NHS Care records website
The practice is registered and complies with the Data Protection Act 1998. Any request for access to notes by a patient, patient’s representative or outside body will be dealt with in accordance with the Act. Please contact the Practice Manager for further information.
Your Data Matters to the NHS
Your health records contain a type of data called confidential patient information. This data can be used to help with research and planning.
You can choose to stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning. You can also make a choice for someone else like your children under the age of 13.
Your choice will only apply to the health and care system in England. This does not apply to health or care services accessed in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Find out how this data is used and how to opt out on the following link:
For more information about this visit NHS Digital
As of 1st July 2021 your data will be shared with NHS Digital to help improve health, care and services
Patient data from GP medical records kept by GP practices in England is used every day to improve health, care and services through planning and research, helping to find better treatments and improve patient care. The NHS is introducing an improved way to share this information – called the General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection.
NHS Digital will collect, analyse, publish and share this patient data to improve health and care services for everyone. This includes:
- informing and developing health and social care policy
- planning and commissioning health and care services
- taking steps to protect public health (including managing and monitoring the coronavirus pandemic)
- in exceptional circumstances, providing you with individual care
- enabling healthcare and scientific research
Any data that NHS Digital collects will only be used for health and care purposes. It is never shared with marketing or insurance companies.
NHS Digital will not collect any patient data for patients who have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out 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, you can register a Type 1 Opt-out with us. 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 1st July 2021.
Patient data is used every day to improve healthcare services through planning and research in England, helping to find better treatments and improve patient care.
It helps to decide what new health and care services are required in a local area, informs clinical guidance and policy, and supports researching and developing cures for serious illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
There is good access for the disabled to all of our consultation rooms. A designated parking bay is adjacent to the surgery entrance and the surgery has a ramp and wide doors to allow for wheelchair access.
We are committed to providing you with the highest quality of care. To enhance our service, we are introducing Heidi Health, an AI-powered medical scribe, to assist in documenting our consultations. Below, we explain what Heidi Health is, how your data will be managed, and the benefits it brings to your care and our practice.
What is Heidi Health?
Heidi Health is an advanced AI medical scribe which some of our clinicians use to generate clinical notes and dictate letters. This tool allows us to focus more on you, the patient, rather than on typing and administrative tasks.
Benefits of Using Heidi Health
Enhanced Focus on Patient Care: By automating the documentation process, Heidi Health allows us to spend more time interacting with you, improving the quality of care and communication during consultations.
Efficiency and Accuracy: The AI scribe ensures that all details of your visit are accurately recorded, reducing the risk of errors and omissions in your medical records.
Streamlined Workflow: Heidi Health helps in managing various administrative tasks such as generating letters from dictations, enabling greater administrative efficiency.
How Your Data is Managed
Data Security and Privacy: Heidi Health adheres to stringent UK compliance frameworks, including the Data Protection Act, GDPR, and NHS standards such as DCB0129, DTAC, and DSPT. This ensures that your personal information is handled securely and confidentially.
Local Data Hosting: All data is hosted within the UK, enhancing security and compliance with local data protection regulations.
Temporary Data Storage: Audio recordings used for generating notes are not stored permanently. They are processed and then deleted, ensuring your data remains private and secure.
We are a training practice and you may be offered an appointment with a GP registrar. These doctors are fully qualified will have had experience in several hospital specialties. They are completing their specialist training as a GP.
We also teach medical students and sometimes you may be asked to see the doctor or nurse with a student present. You will always be asked beforehand if this is acceptable and you may ask for the student to withdraw if you prefer to have your consultation in private.
NHS England has requested that all patients registered at Washingborough Family Practice have a named GP allocated to them.
The named GP will have overall responsibility for your care whilst at the Practice. However this does NOT mean you can only see this GP, you are able to see other GP’s at the Practice who will be able to deal with your case.
In the case of Patients registered at the Practice we have decided your named GP will be the same as your Registered GP.
If you wish to be informed of who your named GP is please contact the Reception staff on 01522 303600.
We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. It is important that the NHS keeps accurate and up-to-date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give you the best possible care.
This information may be used for management and audit purposes. However, it is usually only available to, and used by, those involved in your care. You have the right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records please contact the Practice Manager.
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.
GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation
The GDPR is a regulation that will come into force from 25th May 2018. Its intention is to strengthen data protection for individuals across the European Union. The GDPR strengthens the controls that organisations (data controllers) are required to have in place over the processing of personal data, including pseudonymised data.
Summary Care Record
There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.
Why do I need a Summary Care Record?
Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.
This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.
Who can see it?
Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.
How do I know if I have one?
Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP
Do I have to have one?
No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery.
More information
For further information visit the NHS Care records website
For information on appointments/treatments –
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust – My Planned Care NHS
We take seriously any threatening, abusive or violent behaviour against any of our staff or patients. If a patient is violent or abusive, they will be warned to stop their behaviour. If they persist, we may exercise our right to take action to have them removed, immediately if necessary, from our list of patients.