Privacy notice
As data controllers, GPs have fair processing responsibilities under the Data Protection Act and GDPR law 2018. This means ensuring that your personal confidential data (PCD) is handled in ways that are safe, transparent and what you would reasonably expect.
You can read our privacy notice below or download a copy.
The Data Protection Officer (DPO) for The South Lawn Medical Practice is Bex Lovewell and she is based at Delt Shared Services Ltd. You can contact her at d-icb.deltdpo@nhs.net or at Delt Shared Services Ltd. Building 2 – DELT, Derriford Business Park, Plymouth, PL6 5QZ.
South Lawn Medical Practice Privacy Notice
The South Lawn Medical Practice has a legal duty to explain how we use any personal information we collect about you, as a registered patient, at the Practice. GPs and staff at this Practice maintain records about your health and the treatment you receive in electronic and paper format.
What information do we collect about you?
We will collect information such as personal details, including name, address, next of kin, records of appointments, visits, telephone calls, your health records, treatment and medications, test results, X-rays, etc. and any other relevant information to enable us to deliver effective medical care.
How we will use your information
Your data is collected for the purpose of providing direct patient care; however, we can disclose this information if it is required by law, if you give consent or if it is justified in the public interest. The Practice may be requested to support research; however, we will always gain your consent before sharing your information with medical research databases or others when the law allows.
In order to comply with its legal obligations, this Practice may send data to NHS Digital when directed by the Secretary of State for Health under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Additionally, this Practice contributes to national clinical audits and will send the data that is required by NHS Digital when the law allows. This may include demographic data, such as date of birth, and information about your health which is recorded in coded form; for example, the clinical code for diabetes or high blood pressure.
Processing your information in this way and obtaining your consent ensures that we comply with Articles 6(1)(c), 6(1)(e) and 9(2)(h) of the GDPR.
Data sharing
The Practice may collect, hold and share information about you. In order to plan and manage services, check that care is being provided and for research purposes.
Information about you may be shared within the NHS and with other partners involved in your care and treatment, along with:
- NHS England,
- NHS Digital,
- Public Health England,
- CCG,
- CHIS
- The Department of Health,
- Other Government Departments where it’s legally required, or where it is necessary for the protection of public health or management of the outbreak.
- General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDfPR)
We do not need your consent or agreement to do this.
We use a processor, iGPR Technologies Limited (“iGPR”), to assist us with responding to report requests relating to your patient data, such as subject access requests that you submit to us (or that someone acting on your behalf submits to us) and report requests that insurers submit to us under the Access to Medical Records Act 1988 in relation to a life insurance policy that you hold or that you are applying for. iGPR manages the reporting process for us by reviewing and responding to requests in accordance with our instructions and all applicable laws, including UK data protection laws. The instructions we issue to iGPR include general instructions on responding to requests and specific instructions on issues that will require further consultation with the GP responsible for your care.
Maintaining confidentiality and accessing your records
We are committed to maintaining confidentiality and protecting the information we hold about you. We adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the NHS Codes of Confidentiality and Security, as well as guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
You have a right to access the information we hold about you, and if you would like to access this information, you will need to complete a Subject Access Request (SAR). Please ask at reception or go to our website for a SAR form and you will be given further information.
Should you identify any inaccuracies in your record you have a right to have the inaccurate data corrected.
Risk stratification
Risk stratification is a mechanism used to identify and subsequently manage those patients deemed as being at high risk of requiring urgent or emergency care. Usually this includes patients with long-term conditions, e.g. cancer. Your information is collected by a number of sources, including The Heavitree Practice. This information is processed electronically and given a risk score which is relayed to your GP who can then decide on any necessary actions to ensure that you receive the most appropriate care.
Invoice validation
Your information may be shared if you have received treatment to determine which Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for paying for your treatment. This information may include your name, address and treatment date. All of this information is held securely and confidentially; it will not be used for any other purpose or shared with any third parties.
Opt-outs
You have the right to object to your confidential patient data being shared for purposes beyond your direct care by asking the practice to apply a Type 1 opt-out to your medical records. A type 1 opt-out prevents personal data about you, being extracted from your GP record, and uploaded to any other organisations without your explicit consent. If you wish for a Type 1 opt-out to be applied to your record please go to www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or call 0300 303 5678.
Retention periods
In accordance with the NHS Codes of Practice for Records Management, your healthcare records will be retained for 10 years after death, or if a patient emigrates, for 10 years after the date of emigration.
What to do if you have any questions
Should you have any questions about our privacy policy or the information we hold about you, you can:
- Contact the Practice’s via email at slmp@nhs.net GP practices are data controllers for the data they hold about their patients
- Write to the Practice Manager at The South Lawn Medical Practice, South Lawn Terrace, Exeter, EX1 2RX.
- Ask to speak to the Practice Manager Samantha McMillan, or her deputy Erica Duke.
- The Data Protection Officer (DPO) for The South Lawn Medical Practice is Bex Lovewell and she is based at Delt Shared Services Ltd. You can contact her at d-icb.deltdpo@nhs.net or at Delt Shared Services Ltd. Building 2 – DELT, Derriford Business Park, Plymouth, PL6 5QZ.
Complaints
In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with any element of our data-processing methods, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the ICO. For further details, visit ico.org.uk and select ‘Raising a concern’.
Changes to our privacy policy
We regularly review our privacy policy and any updates will be published on our website, in our newsletter and on posters to reflect the changes.
Updated December 2022
