Your Medical Records

• Your medical records are a history of your health, your illnesses, prescriptions, investigations and any other medical treatment you have had.
• You have a right to keep your personal health information confidential. The relationship between you and your doctor is special.
• We now keep your records on our practice computer system, so we are able to share information among those responsible for your care, unless you ask us not to. Remember all members of our team have signed confidentiality agreements in their contracts.
• We need to find the right balance between watching over your personal privacy and providing good health care, which may depend on those who care for you having access to information.
• You have the right to see and correct your records whether these are on computer or in writing. There may be a small charge for administration and photocopying.
• Sometimes we must release medical information about you to other people or organisations. This can happen in the following ways:
• Life or health insurance companies, and sometimes solicitors, may need information but only with your consent. Benefit agencies also ask us for details which we provide, since it is in your interest that we do so.
• Health authorities need anonymised information both for statistical reasons and as the basis for making payments to the practice.
• The law sometimes requires information for public health reasons, for example about illnesses such as meningitis. Law courts can also make doctors disclose medical records to them and they cannot refuse to co-operate.

Further details about the practice's policy on privacy and confidentiality are available on request.

Access To Your Health Records

Online GP Electronic Health Record Viewing System

This service allows you to view your GP medical record securely over the internet from a computer - free of charge. The service is completely voluntary. If you do not want to use it, your treatment will not be affected in any way.

What are the advantages for me

• You can choose to share your records with those treating you anywhere in the NHS. You may also wish to share your records with family members.
• You can easily look up your list of medications and immunisations (known to your GP).
• Accessing your record on computer will help you to understand and make better use of the information we hold about you.
• Access can help you discuss your health with health professionals caring for you.
• You can help to ensure that the information we hold about you remains accurate, up to date and complete.

What information will I be able to see?

The system allows you to view the following areas of your GP medical record:

• A summary of your GP record that gives you the most important and recent entries
• Consultations showing the date and professional seen and reason for visit
• Previous medical history showing diagnoses, investigations, and procedures
• Allergies and any bad reactions to medications
• Results showing all investigations such as blood results, liver tests, blood pressure etc.
• Vaccinations and immunisations
• Medications

Are there any risks for me?

• There may be something in your record that you have forgotten and do not want to be reminded about.
• Some terms may be difficult to understand as the notes are made by doctors and nurses for each other. If necessary please seek further information during your next appointment at the surgery.
• The surgery will continue make every effort to contact you directly as soon as possible about test results which require further action. However it is possible that you may see these online before your GP has had a chance to discuss them with you, for example over the weekend, when there is no one at the surgery to discuss them.

Can I alter the record?

No, only practice staff can alter your record. However if you see something which you think needs to be changed please contact the practice manager as soon as possible. Any changes to your medical record will be authorised by GP.

Can I share the record?

You will be given secure log in details to access your record. You should keep these safe and not share with anyone. However if you want to share your record with other health professionals or people caring for you, including family and friends, you can print off details or show them the record online by logging on to any internet connected PC. If you do print information from your record you must make sure you dispose of it securely.

What about security?

Your information remains under the control of your GP as it does now. Like online banking you control viewing by using your Username and password. You will be responsible for keeping your log in details safe.

Logging off or a power failure will clear all the information accessed online from your computer system.
Only the surgery permanently holds your information. You are advised not to copy information to your own computer but to log on to the secure site each time to wish to access information as it will be up to date and secure. Information may be printed and shared as you wish, but please ensure any paper copies are kept secure and disposed of securely when no longer required.

Will my data be passed to anyone else without my permission?

No. The Data Protection Act states that your personal data can only be shared with your permission. Please see the Information Commissioners Office web-site for further information: www.ico.org.uk

Conditions

By agreeing to online access, I will be agreeing to use the system responsibly and that access will be removed as a result of abuse of the system.

How do I get started?

1. To be able to use the system you must have a computer with internet access.
2. You will need to have a SystmOnline account set up with the practice. You will need to bring photo ID with you to register e.g. a passport, driving licence. You must remember these details and keep them secure. You will also be given some instructions about how to login and use the service.
3. You must complete a Consent Form - SystmOnline to Record to say you have read and understood this Information Leaflet before you start using the system. This form is available from reception or you can download the form (DOC, 36KB). You can fill out the form before you come in but you need the receptionist to witness your signature.