Confidentiality is the cornerstone of health care and central to the work of everyone in general practice. All information about patients is confidential, from the most sensitive diagnosis, to the fact of having visited the surgery or being registered at the practice. Only where a patient or other person is at grave risk of serious harm will it be considered justifiable to breach confidentiality and then, only after due consultation and generally discussion with the patient. Any decision to disclose information to protect health, safety or well-being will be based on the degree of current or potential harm, not the age of the patient.
The duty of confidentiality owed to a person under 16 is as great as the duty owed to any older person. If a child is deemed able to fully understand his/her health problems, we cannot automatically give information to parents without his/her consent. Doctors will use the Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines to decide if a child is competent to make their own health decisions. We do always try to encourage young people to discuss health issues with their parents.
All staff must sign the Practice Confidentiality Policy and any breach of this could lead to instant dismissal. A copy of the practice policy is displayed at reception. If you want us to give information to another person please let us know and be sure to tell us if this applies to everything or if it is for one specific thing e.g. if we can give your spouse all test results or just one, or if we can let your parent know your appointment times or test results.
Complete the online ‘Consent to Share Information’ form.