Summary Care Record

The Summary Care Record is an English NHS development.  It consists of a basic medical record held on a central government database on every patient registered with a GP surgery in England.  The basic data is automatically extracted from your GP’s electronic record system and uploaded to the central system GPs are required by their contract with the NHS to allow this upload.  The basic upload consists of current medication, allergies and details of any previous bad reactions to medicines, the name, address, date of birth and NHS number of the patient

As well as this basic record additional information can be added, and this can be far reaching and detailed.  However, whereas the basic data is uploaded automatically any additional data will only be uploaded if you specifically request it and with your consent

Summary Care Records can only be viewed within the NHS on NHS smartcard controlled screens or by organisation, such as pharmacies, contracted to the NHS.

You can find out more about the SCR here https://digital.nhs.uk/summary-care-records

You have the right to object to our sharing your data in these circumstances and you can ask your GP to block uploads.

We are required by Articles in the General Data Protection Regulations to provide you with the information in the following 9 subsections.

1) Data Controller contact details Sabden and Whalley Medical Group 42 King Street Whalley BB7 9SL
2) Data Protection Officer contact details Data Protection officer: Hayley Gidman (mlcsu.dpo@nhs.net) The Caldicott Guardian is Dr Chris Dalton
3) Purpose of the  processing Upload of basic and detailed additional Summary Care Record data
4) Lawful basis for  processing The processing of personal data in the delivery of direct care and for providers’ administrative purposes in this surgery and in support of direct care elsewhere is supported under the following Article 6 and 9 conditions of the GDPR: Article 6(1)(e) ‘…necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority…’. Article 9(2)(h) ‘necessary for the purposes of preventative or occupational medicine for the assessment of the working capacity of the employee, medical diagnosis, the provision of health or social care or treatment or the management of health or social care systems and services…”    We will also recognise your rights established under UK case law collectively known as the “Common Law Duty of Confidentiality”*
5) Recipient or categories of recipients of the processed data The data will be shared with Health and care professionals and support staff in this surgery and at hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centres who contribute to your personal care.
6) Rights to object You have the right to object to some or all the information being processed under Article 21.  Please contact the Data Controller or the practice.  You should be aware that this is a right to raise an objection, that is not the same as having an absolute right to have your wishes granted in every circumstance
7) Right to access and correct You have the right to access the data that is being shared and have any inaccuracies corrected.  There is no right to have accurate medical records deleted except when ordered by a court of Law.
8) Retention period The data will be retained in line with the law and national guidance.  https://digital.nhs.uk/article/1202/Records-Management-Code-of-Practice-for-Health-and-Social-Care-2016   or speak to the practice.
9)  Right to Complain. You have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office, you can use this link https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/     or calling their helpline Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745 (national rate)

* “Common Law Duty of Confidentiality”, common law is not written out in one document like an Act of Parliament.  It is a form of law based on previous court cases decided by judges; hence, it is also referred to as ‘judge-made’ or case law.  The law is applied by reference to those previous cases, so common law is also said to be based on precedent.

The general position is that if information is given in circumstances where it is expected that a duty of confidence applies, that information cannot normally be disclosed without the information provider’s consent.

In practice, this means that all patient information, whether held on paper, computer, visually or audio recorded, or held in the memory of the professional, must not normally be disclosed without the consent of the patient.  It is irrelevant how old the patient is or what the state of their mental health is; the duty still applies.

Three circumstances making disclosure of confidential information lawful are:

  • where the individual to whom the information relates has consented;
  • where disclosure is in the public interest; and
  • where there is a legal duty to do so, for example a court order.

GP Earnings

All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.

The average pay for GPs working in Sabden and Whalley Medical Group in the last financial year was £84,492 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 5 full  time GPs, 6 part time GPs and 1 long term locum who worked in the practice for more than six months.

It should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how much time doctors spending working in the practice and should not be used to form any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any comparison with any other practice.

Your Responsibility to us

  • Please treat all staff with the same respect – we are all just doing our job
  • Do not request information about anyone other than yourself
  • Inform us of any change of name or address so that our records are accurate
  • Only request an urgent appointment if appropriate
  • Home visits should only be requested if you are housebound and too ill to attend the surgery, and night visits should be for emergencies only
  • Please cancel your appointment if you are unable to attend
  • Please be punctual, but be prepared to wait if your consultation is delayed by an unexpected emergency
  • Please allow sufficient time for your consultant’s letter or the results of any test to reach us
  • Use the tear-off slip to request a repeat prescription whenever possible
  • Please attend for review, when asked, before your next prescription is due
  • We would, of course, be pleased to hear when you feel praise is due

Our Responsibilities to You

  • You will be greeted courteously
  • You have a right to confidentiality
  • You have the right to see your medical record, subject to the limitations and the law
  • You will be seen the same day if your problem is urgent
  • You will be seen by your own doctor, whenever possible
  • You will be informed if there will be a delay of more than 20 minutes for your appointment
  • You will be referred to a consultant when your GP thinks it necessary
  • You will be given the result of any test or investigation on request at your next appointment
  • Your repeat prescription will normally be ready for collection two working days after your request
  • Your suggestions and comments about the services offered will be considered sympathetically and any complaint dealt with quickly

Patient Charter

The care of your health is a partnership between yourself and the primary health care team. The success of that partnership depends on an understanding of each other’s needs and co-operation between us.

Confidentiality, Data Protection and GDPR

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 advice and care. This information is only available to those involved in your care and you should never be asked for personal medical information by anyone not involved in your care.

You have a right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records or require a copy, please view our Access to Medical Records policy (click the link below) and complete the appropriate form.

From 25th May 2018 the law is changed with the addition of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This regulation had an impact on how we handle your data. Further information can be found on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – Official Legal Text (gdpr-info.eu) or in the privacy notice on our website.