Access to your Medical Records

In accordance with the GDPR patients have the right to access their data and any supplementary information help by Northgate Medical Centre; this is commonly known as a data subject acccess request (DSAR).

The practice aim to process your request within 30 days, however, this isn’t always possible.

Please find below full information regarding access to your records:

Click Here for Information

Here is the form for access to your medical record

click here for access to your medical records.

We have introduced a new text messaging service that allows us to instant message you from within your medical record. This allows the doctors, nurses and admin staff to send important messages regarding results, medication, referrals, recalls, remind you to book an appt or just send advice.

This system also allows us to now send requests for data about your chronic condition and you have the option to click on a link and complete a form which will be returned to the practice and can be viewed by the GP and filed back to your record. This is entirely optional.

We can also use AccuRx to do video consultations. If you have spoken with a GP and advised a video consultation you will be sent a link via a text message to do this.

If you do not wish to have this service please let us know and we can update your details to stop these being sent out to you.

Chaperone Policy

Northgate Medical Centre is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. A chaperone could be a family member or friend. It could also be a formal chaperone, i.e. a trained member of the practice team.

Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking your appointment so that arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way. Whist we will always do our best to provide a chaperone when requested, this may sometimes require us to re-book your appointment for a time when one is present.

 On occasions your GP or nurse may require a chaperone to be present; this is in accordance with our chaperone policy.

Complaints

Privacy Information

What is a privacy notice?

A privacy notice is a statement that discloses some or all of the ways in which the practice gathers, uses, discloses and manages a patient’s data. It fulfils a legal requirement to protect a patient’s privacy.

To view our privacy policy please click here.

Why do we need one?

To ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Northgate Medical Centre must ensure that information is provided to patients about how their personal data is processed in a manner which is:

• Concise, transparent, intelligible and easily accessible;
• Written in clear and plain language, particularly if addressed to a child; and
• Free of charge

What is the GDPR?

The GDPR replaces the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and is designed to harmonise data privacy laws across Europe, to protect and empower all EU citizens’ data privacy and to reshape the way in which organisations across the region approach data privacy. The GPDR comes into effect on 25 May 2018.

How do we communicate our privacy notice?

At Northgate Medical Centre, the practice privacy notice is displayed on our website, through signage in the waiting room, and in writing during patient registration (by means of this leaflet). We will:

• Inform patients how their data will be used and for what purpose
• Allow patients to opt out of sharing their data, should they so wish

What information do we collect about you?

We will collect information such as personal details, including name, address, next of kin, records of appointments, visits, telephone calls, your health records, treatment and medications, test results, X-rays, etc. and any other relevant information to enable us to deliver effective medical care.

How do we use your information?

Your data is collected for the purpose of providing direct patient care; however, we can disclose this information if it is required by law, if you give consent or if it is justified in the public interest. The practice may be requested to support research; however, we will always gain your consent before sharing your information with medical research databases such as the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and QResearch or others when the law allows.

Maintaining confidentiality

We are committed to maintaining confidentiality and protecting the information we hold about you. We adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the NHS Codes of Confidentiality and Security, as well as guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Risk stratification

Risk stratification is a mechanism used to identify and subsequently manage those patients deemed as being at high risk of requiring urgent or emergency care. Usually this includes patients with long-term conditions, e.g. cancer. Your information is collected by a number of sources, including the Northgate Medical Centre; this information is processed electronically and given a risk score which is relayed to your GP who can then decide on any necessary actions to ensure that you receive the most appropriate care.

Invoice validation

Your information may be shared if you have received treatment, to determine which Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for paying for your treatment. This information may include your name, address and treatment date. All of this information is held securely and confidentially; it will not be used for any other purpose or shared with any third parties.

Opt-outs

You have a right to object to your information being shared. Should you wish to opt out of data collection, please contact a member of staff who will be able to explain how you can opt out and prevent the sharing of your information; this is done by registering a Type 1 opt-out, preventing your information from being shared outside this practice.

Accessing your records

You have a right to access the information we hold about you, and if you would like to access this information, you will need to complete a Subject Access Request (SAR). Please ask at reception for a SAR form and you will be given further information. Furthermore, should you identify any inaccuracies, you have a right to have the inaccurate data corrected.

What to do if you have any questions

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) for Northgate Medical Centre is:

NAME:                               Sharon Forrester-Wild

ROLE:                                 Head of Information Governance and Quality Assurance – Data Protection Officer

ADDRESS:                       St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospital Trust

MOBILE: 07946 593082

Health Informatics Services

Alexandra Business Park

Prescot Road

St Helens

WA10 3TP

TEL:                             0151 676 5698

EMAIL:                     [email protected]

Complaints

In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with any element of our data-processing methods, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the ICO. For further details, visit ico.org.uk and select ‘Raising a concern’.

We regularly review our privacy policy and any updates will be published on our website, in our newsletter and on posters to reflect the changes. This policy is to be reviewed annually.

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 organizations 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 this site.

Useful Links 

Please follow this link.

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment. Sometimes the only reason that a GP is asked to provide information is because they hold a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company wants to be sure that the information provided to them is true and accurate.

Examples of Non-NHS services which GP’s can charge their NHS patients:

The NHS provides most health services to people free of charge, but there are some exceptions.

• Accident/sickness insurance certificates and reports
• Certain travel vaccinations
• School fee and holiday insurance certificates
• Fitness to travel e.g. charity work abroad
• Private medical insurance reports
• Reports for health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise
• Reports for ‘fitness to start a diet regime.’
• Medicals for HGV/Taxi/PSV
• Elderly Driver Medicals
• Holiday Cancellation forms
• Shotgun Certificate Verification
• Driving Licence Forms

Examples of non-NHS services which GP’s can charge other institutions:

• Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
• Reports for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in connection with disability living allowance and attendance allowance
• Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering or occupational health departments

Why does it take so long for my GP to complete a form or report?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the care of our NHS patients. Our GP’s have a heavy workload – paperwork takes up an increasing amount of time.

I only need a doctor’s signature — what is the problem?

When a doctor signs a certificate or report, it is a condition of the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor might have to read patients entire medical record.

Requesting a letter

If you wish to request a letter please attend reception to complete a letter request form and to pay the fee of £20 (Please note these letters are classed as non NHS work therefore there is a fee to pre-pay). You must have spoken to a clinician regarding your letter request prior to you completing the form.

You will then be contacted once the letter is ready to collect from the surgery. Please note, our turn around for letter requests is 10 working days from the date of this request.

Payment must be received prior to letter being completed.

Non-NHS FEES charged by Northgate Medical Centre (this page is currently being updated as of 30.1.23 – prices due to be updated shortly – ring practice for exact current new fees)

Please allow up to 5 working days for completion of forms (unless otherwise advised)

• Adoption Medicals (payable by local authority – client to confirm) – £150.00
• Army/Forces Medical Forms         (should be payable by Army) – £110.00
• Bus pass application form – £10.00
• Camp America Forms – £20.00-£30.00
• DVLA medical examination – £40.00
• Firearms / shotgun report – £60.00
• Fitness to attend Gym/Exercise Class – £25.00
• Fitness to Travel – Typed Letter – £35.00
• Fitness to Travel – signed form only – £20.00
• Fitness to undertake a University course / declaration of health / medical evidence for DSA (usually medical courses) – £20.00
• Full medical examination and report (HGV, TAXI, Pre-employment/Occ Health) – £125.00
• Hep B vaccination (per vaccine) – £35.00
• Holiday Cancellation form – £35.00
• ‘To Whom It May Concern’ letters (pre-payment required at reception)- £20.00
  • £15 – students mitigating circumstances
• Other Medical Insurance Claim Forms (eg mortgage protect) – £35.00
• Power of Attorney (including examination) Assessment of Capacity – £150.00
• Private prescriptions eg anti-malarials (prescription charge) – £15.00
• Private Medical Certificate / Sick Note (when SC2 is not accepted) – £20.00
• Supplementary Question Reports – £25.00
• Typed Medical Report from Medical Records – £120.00

How to Opt out

If you do not want your identifiable patient data to be shared outside of your GP practice for purposes except for your own care, you can register an opt-out with your GP practice. This is known as a Type 1 Opt-out.

Type 1 Opt-outs were introduced in 2013 for data sharing from GP practices, but may be discontinued in the future as a new opt-out has since been introduced to cover the broader health and care system, called the National Data Opt-out. If this happens people who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out will be informed. More about National Data Opt-outs is in the section Who we share patient data with.

NHS Digital will not collect any patient data for patients who have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out in line with current policy. If this changes patients who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out will be informed.

If you do not want your patient data shared with NHS Digital, you can register a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice. You can register a Type 1 Opt-out at any time. You can also change your mind at any time and withdraw a Type 1 Opt-out.

A start date for the Data sharing with NHS Digital will be announced.

If you have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice your data will not be shared with NHS Digital.

If you wish to register a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice before data sharing starts with NHS Digital, this should be done by returning this form to your GP practice as soon as possible to allow time for processing it. If you have previously registered a Type 1 Opt-out and you would like to withdraw this, you can also use the form to do this. You can send the form by post or email to your GP practice or call 0300 3035678 for a form to be sent out to you.

If you register a Type 1 Opt-out after your patient data has already been shared with NHS Digital, no more of your data will be shared with NHS Digital. NHS Digital will however still hold the patient data which was shared with us before you registered the Type 1 Opt-out.

If you do not want NHS Digital to share your identifiable patient data (personally identifiable data in the diagram above) with anyone else for purposes beyond your own care, then you can also register a National Data Opt-out. There is more about National Data Opt-outs and when they apply in the National Data Opt-out section below.

National Data Opt-out (opting out of NHS Digital sharing your data)

This applies to identifiable patient data about your health (personally identifiable data in the diagram above), which is called confidential patient information. If you don’t want your confidential patient information to be shared by NHS Digital for purposes except your own care – GP data, you can register a National Data Opt-out.

If you have registered a National Data Opt-out, NHS Digital won’t share any confidential patient information about you with other organisations unless there is an exemption to this, such as where there is a legal requirement or where it is in the public interest to do so, such as helping to manage contagious diseases like coronavirus. You can find out more about exemptions on the NHS website

All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.

The average pay for GPs working in Northgate Medical Centre in the last financial year was £57,517 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 10 part time GPs and 1 locum GP who worked in the practice for more than six months.

The Practice takes it very seriously if a member of staff or one of the doctors or nursing team is treated in an abusive or violent way.

The Practice supports the government’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ campaign for Health Service Staff. This states that GPs and their staff have a right to care for others without fear of being attacked or abused. To successfully provide these services a mutual respect between all the staff and patients has to be in place. All our staff aim to be polite, helpful, and sensitive to all patients’ individual needs and circumstances. They would respectfully remind patients that very often staff could be confronted with a multitude of varying and sometimes difficult tasks and situations, all at the same time.  The staff understand that ill patients do not always act in a reasonable manner and will take this into consideration when trying to deal with a misunderstanding or complaint.

However, aggressive behaviour, be it violent or abusive, will not be tolerated and may result in you being removed from the Practice list and, in extreme cases, the Police being contacted.

In order for the practice to maintain good relations with their patients the practice would like to ask all its patients to read and take note of the occasional types of behaviour that would be found unacceptable:

Using bad language or swearing at practice staff
Any physical violence towards any member of the Primary Health Care Team or other patients, such as pushing or shoving
Verbal abuse towards the staff in any form including verbally insulting the staff
Racial abuse and sexual harassment will not be tolerated within this practice
Persistent or unrealistic demands that cause stress to staff will not be accepted. Requests will be met wherever possible and explanations given when they cannot
Causing damage/stealing from the Practice’s premises, staff or patients
Obtaining drugs and/or medical services fraudulently
We ask you to treat your GPs and their staff courteously at all times.
Removal from the practice list

A good patient-doctor relationship, based on mutual respect and trust, is the cornerstone of good patient care. The removal of patients from our list is an exceptional and rare event and is a last resort in an impaired patient-practice relationship. When trust has irretrievably broken down, it is in the patient’s interest, just as much as that of the practice, that they should find a new practice. An exception to this is on immediate removal on the grounds of violence e.g. when the Police are involved.

Removing other members of the household

In rare cases, however, because of the possible need to visit patients at home it may be necessary to terminate responsibility for other members of the family or the entire household. The prospect of visiting patients where a relative who is no longer a patient of the practice by virtue of their unacceptable behaviour resides, or being regularly confronted by the removed patient, may make it too difficult for the practice to continue to look after the whole family. This is particularly likely where the patient has been removed because of violence or threatening behaviour and keeping the other family members could put doctors or their staff at risk.