PCN Privacy Notice

The Gardens Surgery collects and holds data about our patients for the purpose of providing safe and effective healthcare.

We recognise that our patients entrust sensitive and personal information to us and we have a responsibility to keep it accurate and secure.

Your recent medical records are kept digitally on a secure clinical system (EMIS Web). Access is password protected and is audited. Your older medical records are kept in locked cabinets on site. Due to a shortage of space, your medical records are also kept off-site in a secure building.

All members of our staff who have access to your data are trained in confidentiality and have signed a confidentiality agreement. Your data will only be used to provide safe and effective healthcare.

Your Summary Care Record (SCR) is shared with health and care staff through a secure web portal. This contains your name, address, NHS number, current medication and allergies. Access is audited and is used to make prescribing medication safer. Let us know if you would like to opt out of the SCR.

Your Local Care Record (LCR) is shared with local hospitals in South East London. It is a secure system that contains your electronic patient record and is accessible to professionals directly involved in your care. Certain sensitive information is not included in the LCR, for example, sexual health information. Let us know if you would like to opt out of the LCR.

When we make a referral to another service (for example to a hospital or community clinic) we will share relevant information about you with them. When you agree to a referral there is implied consent that you would like us to share this information. Please let us know at the time of the referral if you do not want us to share specific information, this may limit your treatment options.

We are a part of the Improving Health Limited Federation and as part of offering better patient care and services, we may share anonymous health data for use in ethically and quality-approved audits. We do not share any information that could be used to identify you. 

In some circumstances, we may be required by law to release your details to statutory or other official bodies. For example we would break confidentiality to prevent death or serious harm. We will only do this if there is a legal basis and will be guided by a principle of disclosing the minimum of information required and seeking your consent wherever possible.

For more information please go to the South East London ICS website