Practice policies
Practice policies
Confidentiality & Medical Records
The practice complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
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. Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff. Even if you are under 16 nothing will be said to anyone - including parents, other family members, care workers or tutors - without your permission. The only reason why we might have to consider passing on your confidential information without your permission would be to protect you or someone else from serious harm. We would always try to discuss this with your first.
Please read the Privacy Notice below to understand why we collect information about you, how that information may be used, how we keep it safe and confidential and what your rights are in relation to this.
How data in your GP record is used and how you can control the use (opt-out)Download our Practice Privacy Notice
Download our Children's Privacy Notice
General Practice Transparency Notice for GPES Data for Pandemic Planning and Research (COVID-19)
Subject Access Request
Under the General Data Protection Regulations a patient has a right to apply for a copy of their medical records by making a subject access request to the practice. A subject access request form can be collected from reception. A request can be made by the patient or via a third-party such as a solicitor. In accordance with the GDPR, once the practice is satisfied with the request they must respond within one calendar month (classed as 30 days in the UK) of receiving the request. In the case of complex or multiple requests, the practice may extend the response time by a period of two months. There is no charge for providing a copy of the requested information. That said, should a request be deemed either "unfounded, excessive or repetitive", a reasonable fee may be charged.
GP Net Earnings
NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown below. However it should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how much time doctors spend 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.
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 this practice in the last full financial year was £58,484 before Tax and National insurance. This is for zero full time GPs, 8 part time GPs and 1 locum GPs who worked in the practice for more than six months.
Freedom of Information
Information about the General Practioners 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.
Infection Control
This annual statement will be generated each year in accordance with the requirements of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.
Patient Social Media Guidance
At West Road Medical Centre, we have a Facebook and an X page both of which provide a range of useful information for our patient population. There are also pages about us on google reviews and NHS choices.
This organisation has a duty to maintain patient confidentiality and to safeguard vulnerable patients. You can help us to achieve this by adhering to the code of conduct outlined in this guidance.
Online Access Apps
As a practice we recommend the NHS App to access our online services. The NHS App can be downloaded from the Apple and Google App Stores. Other online access apps created by private developers are available and many offer additional options, which might include appointments with private providers. The practice has no control over the content of these apps, does not endorse any private services or products. The practice does not profit from any apps.
Named Accountable GP
As from April 2015, practices are required under their contract with NHS England to allocate a Named accountable GP to all patients, who will have overall responsibility for the care and support that our surgery provides for them. However, you can still see the GP of your choice, whenever you need to see a doctor - you don't have to see your Named accountable GP if you prefer not to.
New patients will be informed of their Named accountable GP on registration.
Complaints
We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.
However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.
To pursue a complaint please contact the practice manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception.
Feedback
Feedback is important to us. Even if you just wish to make a few comments it helps us to improve our services and enables us to thank staff for their hard work. If you have not been satisfied by a service or a member of staff at the surgery, you will help us to change by informing the Practice Manager.
Violence Policy
The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person's safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient's medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.