Practice Policies & Patient Information
Clinical Research
This practice contributes to clinical research.
Information in patient records is important for medical research to develop new treatments and test the safety of medicines. This practice supports medical research by sending some of the information to the clinical practice research datalink (CPRD)
CPRD is a government organisation that provides anonymised patient data for research to improve patient and public health. You cannot be identified from the information sent to CPRD,
If you do not want anonymised information from your patient record to be used in research you can opt out by letting us know.
Communication
We want to get better at communicating with our patients. We want to make sure you can read and understand the information we send you.
If you find it hard to read our letters or if you need someone to support you at appointments, please let us know.
We want to know if you need information in braille, large print or easy read. We want to know if you need a British Sign Language interpreter or advocate.
We want to know if we can support you to lip-read or use a hearing aid or communication tool.
Please tell the receptionist when you arrive for your next appointment or call us
Data Choices
Your Data Matters to the NHS
Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.
How your data is used
Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses is collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital. It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.
Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential patient information.
You have a choice
You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can choose to opt out securely online or through a telephone service. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.
Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?
No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.
What do you need to do?
If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.
To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or to make/change your opt-out choice visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters
Data Regulations
Information we retain on you and why
Data Protection Officer
All General Practices are required to have a Data Protection Officer (DPO) role under the new General Data Protection Legislation. This is required as all General Practices are designated as Public Authorities under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
The Data Protection Officer can be contacted using the following details:
- by secure email: [email protected]
- by telephone: 0191 4041000 (ext 3436)
GP Net Earnings
Named GP
Here at Millfield Surgery we have nominated a named GP to be accountable for the care of each of our patients. The purpose of this is to ensure that our patients have a named individual who they know is responsible for the overall care they receive at the surgery.
Having a named GP assigned to you does not mean that you are obliged to see that GP; you are welcome to continue to make appointments to see any of the GPs at the surgery.
If you would like to know the name of the GP who is accountable for overseeing your care, please contact the surgery and we will be more than happy to inform you.
Practice Complaints
Practice Mission Statement
Statement of Intent Re Patient Access to Records
Information Technology (IT) & Electronic Patient Records – Statement of Intent
Millfield Medical Group, Sunderland SR4 7AF
April 2016
New contractual arrangements came into force on 1st April 2014 requiring GP practices to make available a statement of intent about a number of IT developments. Please find below details of the arrangements we have in place for these developments at this Practice.
Referral management Information
Practices must include the NHS Number as the primary identifier in all NHS clinical correspondence issued by the practice.
All letters & information that we send to other organisations, such as hospitals, have an NHS number clearly shown.
Electronic appointment booking
Practices are required to promote and offer the facility for all patients, who wish to, to book, view, amend, cancel and print appointments online.
We currently offer booking and cancelling of routine GP appointments online. Please visit our website and look at the “Online Services” Section or ask at reception for more details about how to register for this service.
Online booking of repeat prescriptions
Practices are required to promote and offer the facility for all patients, who wish to, to order online, view and print a list of their repeat prescriptions for necessary drugs, medicines or appliances.
We currently offer the facility for ordering repeat prescriptions online. Please visit our website and look at the “Online Services” Section or ask at reception for more details.
Interoperable records/Summary Care Record.
Practices are required to upload changes to a patient’s summary information, at least daily, to the Summary Care record. Having your Summary Care Record available will help other doctors and nurses treating you away from your regular surgery, without your full medical record. They will have access to information about any medication you may be taking and any drugs to which you have a recorded allergy or sensitivity.
Click here for more details about the Summary Care Record
Summary Care Records (SCR) – NHS Digital
This function is already live. However, if you do not want your medical records to be available in this way please let us know. You can do this via the ‘opt out form’, available at reception.
GP2GP transfers of Care Records
We are required to utilise the GP2GP facility for the transfer of patient records between practices, when a patient registers or de-registers. It is very important that you are registered with a doctor at all times. If you leave your GP and register with a new one, your medical records will be removed from your previous doctor and forwarded to your new GP via NHS England. It can take several weeks for paper records to reach the new surgery; with GP2GP, your electronic record is transferred to your new practice much sooner.
GP2GP transfers are already activated at this practice for sending and receiving patient records.
Patient access to their electronic GP record
We are required to promote and offer the facility for patients to view online, export or print any summary of information from their records relating to medications, allergies, adverse reactions and any other additional details which have been agreed with the patient.
This practice offers the facility for patients to view online, export or print detailed coded information held in their records
This is now available to patients who request access to read coded information in their notes.
We require two forms of identification prior to access being granted
Summary Care Record
There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.
Why do I need a Summary Care Record?
Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.
This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.
Who can see it?
Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.
How do I know if I have one?
Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP
Do I have to have one?
No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. You can use the form at the foot of this page.
More Information
For further information visit the NHS Care records website