Practice Policies
Proxy Access
Proxy Access refers to giving a third party access to online services on behalf of a patient. Family members or carers can access a patient’s medical records online only in circumstances where the patient has consented to this, or if the patient lacks capacity AND the applicant can provide evidence that they have been granted the power to manage the patient’s affairs.
Patients will be advised about the risks associated with doing this as part of their access application. Proxy access is the recommended alternative to sharing login details.
A person with parental responsibility who wishes to access some or all of the records of a competent child aged between 11 and 16 should only be allowed to do so if the child or young person consents, and it does not go against the child’s best interests. If the records contain information given by the child or young person in confidence you should not normally disclose the information without their consent.
A person with parental responsibility for a child aged under 12 normally has automatic rights to access a child’s records – although not all parents have parental responsibility. Proxy access for people with parental responsibility to a child’s record is a practice-level decision.
Data Sharing
From 30th September 2021, your data will be shared with NHS Digital. NHS Digital will collect, analyse, publish and share this patient data to improve health and care services for everyone.
The NHS needs data about the patients it treats in order to plan and deliver its services and to ensure that care and treatment provided is safe and effective. For example patient data can help the NHS to:
- monitor the long-term safety and effectiveness of care
- plan how to deliver better health and care services
- prevent the spread of infectious diseases
- identify new treatments and medicines through health research
GP practices already share patient data for these purposes, but this new data collection will be more efficient and effective. Read more here.
Privacy Notices
VGS-Privacy-Notice-Children-2024
Records and Confidentiality
Most patient information is held on computer. All personal and clinical information is confidential and the consent of individual patients is needed before it can be given to anyone else. Sometimes, we may need to share information with other professionals involved in your care, but they also have a legal duty to keep it confidential. You are entitled to see your health records. If you want to do this, please ask at reception for details.
Zero Tolerance
This practice has a zero tolerance approach and any patient who is violent, aggressive or abusive to GPs, nurses, practice staff or other patients may be taken off the practice’s list.
