Whenever you arrive at the clinic we will need to ask you for information that is relevant to your care. We keep details of your name, address, date of birth and your GP (family doctor). We also hold information about your medical conditions, and treatments that you have received at the hospital. Please remember to tell us if you have changed your name, address or GP. We need to record these details to update our records and to ensure that we can contact you or your GP if necessary. This information may be held as paper records in your hospital notes or on a computer database. This information is kept on file, with details of your treatment, in case you need to be seen again.

Are there any other reasons to keep the information?

Who can see this information?

There are strict laws about access to personal information. The Data Protection Act (1998) protects the right of the individual to privacy with respect to the processing of personal data. The Freedom of Information Act (2000) gives people a general right of access to inforamton held by or on behalf of public authories, promoting a cutlure of openness and accountability across the public sector. Further details are available from the Information Commissioner’s Office at www.dataprotection.gov.uk

You are entitled to see your medical records, although this may not be possible on the day you ask. Your family and friends are not entitled to see your records, unless you specifically say so. Your GP will be told about your progress unless you specifically ask otherwise. On the whole, only those members of staff directly involved in providing your care are able to see the information. There are some other members of staff who may see the information for the reasons given above, that is, teaching and research purposes, or reviewing care.