What is GDPR?
GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulations and is a new piece of legislation that will supersede the Data Protection Act. It will not only apply to the UK and EU; it covers anywhere in the world in which data about EU citizens is processed.
The GDPR is similar to the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 (which the practice already complies with), but strengthens many of the DPA’s principles. The main changes are:
- Practices must comply with subject access requests
- Where we need your consent to process data, this consent must be freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous
- There are new, special protections for patient data
- The Information Commissioner’s Office must be notified within 72 hours of a data breach
- Higher fines for data breaches – up to 20 million euros
What is Patient Data?
Patient data is information that relates to a single person, such as his/her diagnosis, name, age, earlier medical history etc.
What is Consent?
Consent is permission from a patient – an individual’s consent is defined as “any freely given specific and informed indication of his wishes by which the data subject signifies his agreement to personal data relating to him being processed.”
The changes in GDPR mean that we must get explicit permission from patients when using their data. This is to protect your right to privacy, and we may ask you to provide consent to do certain things, like contact you or record certain information about you for your clinical records.
Individuals also have the right to withdraw their consent at any time.
What is a Subject Access Request?
A subject access request is simply a written request made by or on behalf of an individual for information which he or she in entitled to ask for under section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA).
For further information please read our Subject Access Policy Policy
If you would like to make a Subject Access Request, please complete our Request Form Form
Confidentiality
Patients should be aware that all members of the practice has access to a patient’s medical record, however, they will only access the part of a patient’s record in accordance to their role.
The practice has ensured that all members of the practice team fully understand their responsibilities with regard to confidential data. The practice has ensured all employees have undertaken Information Governance training and have signed a written statement of the responsibilities they are undertaking towards the security of all data within the surgery. This written statement includes their responsibility to adhere to the policy even after they have left the practice.
Sharing Your Data
To ensure safe and effective care, patients’ information may be shared with other parties within the care team who are involved in their direct care. Where a patient wishes information not to be shared within the team providing direct care, then they must discuss this with their GP.
Patient information will not be shared outside of the direct care team without consent being sought. An individual has the right to refuse to have their information disclosed, although this may have an impact on their care, and their wishes will be complied with.
For more information on how we may share your data, please read our Fair Processing Notice Notice
Contact us
Practice Manager
Clark Avenue Surgery, Clark Avenue, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, NP44 1RY
Telephone 01633 482733
Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR)
The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) sit alongside the Data Protection Act and the GDPR. They give people specific privacy rights in relation to electronic communications.
There are specific rules on:
- Marketing calls, emails, texts and faxes;
- Cookies (and similar technologies)
At Clark Avenue Surgery we use text messages for a variety of reasons:
- Appointment Reminders;
- Invitation to specific clinics, for example, flu vaccination or chronic disease if eligible;
- General information, for example COVID-19 pandemic
We will only use email communication as a way of replying to you with requested information or if we feel it in the best interests of your care.
If you wish to opt out from ever receiving text messages please contact the surgery and we will update your preferences.
Freedom of Information (FOI) Disclosure Log
The FOI disclosure log lists our responses to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 which we feel are of wider public interest.
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