Practice Policies

Confidentiality, Data Protection & GDPR

We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. It is important that the HSE keeps accurate and up-to-date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give you the best possible advice and care. This information is only available to those involved in your care and you should never be asked for personal medical information by anyone not involved in your care.

You have a right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records or require a copy, please view our Access to Medical Records policy (click the link below) and complete the appropriate form.

From 25th May 2018 the law is changed with the addition of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This regulation had an impact on how we handle your data.

The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

  • To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
  • To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
  • When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

Freedom of Information

Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.

Access to Records

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.

Zero Tolerance

Zero Tolerance (Violent Behaviour)

As an employer, the practice has a duty to care for the health and safety of its staff. The practice also has a legal responsibility to provide a safe and secure working environment for staff. All patients are expected to behave in an acceptable manner and violent or abusive behaviour towards staff or patients may result in removal from our practice list or even criminal proceedings. The practice follows the HSE guidance concerning Zero Tolerance.

The Practice has a policy of “zero tolerance” of verbal and physical violence towards GP’s, staff or other patients.

The practice will request the removal of any patient from the practice list who is aggressive or abusive towards a doctor, member of staff, other patient, or who damages property.

All instances of actual physical abuse on any doctor or member of staff, by a patient or their relatives will be reported to the police as an assault.

We expect all patients to be responsible and avoid attending the surgery under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Any alteration of prescriptions is illegal and will not be tolerated.

If you are seriously unhappy with the quality of service you have the right to register with another practice without notifying us. Similarly, on the very rare occasions when a patient repeatedly ignores their responsibilities to the Practice, we have the right to remove the patient from our Practice list.

Examples of Unacceptable Standards of Behaviour

  • Violence.
  • Excessive noise e.g. recurrent loud or intrusive conversation or shouting.
  • Threatening or abusive language involving swearing or offence remarks.
  • Derogatory racial or sexual remarks.
  • Malicious allegations relating to members of staff, other patients or visitors.
  • Offensive sexual gestures or behaviours.
  • Abusing alcohol or drugs on practice premises.
  • Drug dealing on practice premises.
  • Willful damage to practice property.
  • Threats or threatening behaviour.
  • Theft

 

Our Staff have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

They should be able to do their jobs without being PHYSICALLY or VERBALLY ABUSED.

The vast majority of our lovely patients respect this.

Anyone found abusing the staff in person or on the telephone will be asked to leave the practice.

This behaviour will NOT be tolerated.