We are committed to complying to right of access requests under Data Protection Act 2018 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
However, the NHS is facing unprecedented challenges relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic at the current time. Understandably, our resources have been diverted to support our front-line colleagues who are working tremendously hard to provide care for our patients, and to those in need of our services.
The Information Commissioners Office has recognised the current situation in the NHS https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/news-and-events/icos-blog-on-its-information-rights-work/.
We strive to be transparent and to work with an open culture. But at this time, whilst care of our patients and the safety of our staff takes precedent, it is likely that responses to some requests for information or records will be delayed. We apologise for this position in advance, and will endeavour to provide you with as much information as we can, as soon as we are able.
It may therefore take up to the statutory deadline of 3 months in certain cases to respond to Subject Access Requests.
For Freedom of Information requests, the Practice will try and continue to process them as normal, but this will be dependent on the availability of staff.
Confidentiality
We ask you for personal information so that you can receive appropriate care and treatment. This information is recorded on computer and we are registered under the Data Protection Act. The practice will ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained at all times by all members of the practice team. However, for the effective functioning of a multi-disciplinary team it is sometimes necessary that medical information about you is shared between members of the team.
For further information regarding how your data is used and stored by the practice, please see the links below.