Confidentiality

The relationship between patient and the team providing medical care is based on trust. We have a professional duty to keep information related to you confidential.

Nothing that has been learned from, or related to, anyone who has consulted or been examined by a doctor or nurse can be disclosed to a third person without their consent, regardless of whether or not the requested treatment is given.

Medical professional will respect confidentiality, regardless of age, as long as the patient is felt to be capable of understanding and of making an informed choice about the treatment and/or advice.

Capacity and informed consent
A patient is deemed to have the capacity to make informed consent if they can:
1. Understand the advice provided/proposed treatment
2. Understand the potential consequences
3. Make an informed choice

Consent to treatment and care
You have the right to give or withhold consent to all or any part of proposed treatment or care. We will respect your right of choice

Breaking confidentiality
Confidentiality may only be broken in situations when the health, safety or welfare of the patient or others, would be at grave risk or serious harm, and if disclosure to an appropriate person would prevent this.

The decision whether to break confidentiality depends on the current or potential harm, not on the age of the patient.

For further information please read our leaflet – “How we use information” which is available at reception.

Data protection
The practice is registered with the Information Commissioner, who holds a description of the data collected and retained by the practice. Our nominated Data Controller is Winifred McLaren. All information is held, retained and destroyed in accordance with NHS guidelines.