DATA PROTECTION
Sometimes the NHS uses relevant information about your health to help improve the general public’s health and NHS services, or to check that money has been spent properly. Wherever possible, information that identifies you is removed.
Our use of your personal health information is covered by a duty of confidentiality, and is regulated by the Data Protection Act. This Act gives you a number of rights in relation to how your personal information is used, including a right to access the information we hold about you.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you have a right to know who holds personal information about you. This person or organisation is called the data controller. In the NHS, the data controller is usually either your local NHS Board or General Practice. Your NHS Board is Forth Valley NHS Board.
Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential and adheres to a Code of Practice on protecting confidentiality. Further information on this can be found at www.nhsis.co.uk/confidentiality. Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential.
STAFF PROTECTION
A zero tolerance policy towards violent, threatening and abusive behaviour is now in place throughout the National Health Service. Violence in this context includes actual and threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a persons safety.
The staff in this practice have the right to do their work in an environment free from violent, threatening or abusive behaviour and everything will be done to protect that right. At no time will this type of behaviour be tolerated in this practice.
If you do not respect the rights of our staff we may choose to inform the police and make arrangements for you to be removed from our medical list.
Patient Suggestions and Complaints
We welcome your suggestions and always take complaints seriously and act on them. You should speak to the practice manager or any doctor if you have any concerns. The practice has a complaints procedure which you can obtain from reception. There is a suggestions box in the waiting room, we are keen to get your view on how our practice runs and any ideas you have on improvement.