In accordance with the Access to Health Records Act 1990, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager.

No information will be released without the patients’ consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.

Online access to your Medical Care Record

As from 1st April 2016, patients have been able to access additional information in their medical record online if they wish. In the same way that you can go online and access basic details such as your repeat medications and allergies, order repeat medication, book an appointment; you will be able to register to access more detailed parts of your medical record.

If you would like to register for Online Services, please complete our Registration Form.

Candidates applying for work privacy notice

Introduction

At Elm Surgery, we have a legal duty to explain how we use any personal information we collect about you at the organisation. We collect records during the recruitment stage and then data is continued to be collected for any successful candidate. This is in both electronic and paper format.

This privacy notice applies to personal information processed by or on behalf of Elm Surgery. We are required to provide you with this privacy notice by law. It provides information on how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect, store and hold about you. If you have any questions about this privacy notice or are unclear about how we process or use your personal information or have any other issue regarding your personal and healthcare information, then please contact our data protection officer Bex Lovewell on 01752 580321.

This notice explains:

• Who we are, how we use your information and our Data Protection Officer (DPO)
• What kind of personal information about you we process
• What the legal grounds are for our processing of your personal information (including when we share it with others)
• What you should do if your personal information changes
• How long your personal information is retained by us
• What your rights are under data protection laws

The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) became law on 24th May 2016. This is a single EU-wide regulation on the protection of confidential and sensitive information. It entered into force in the UK on the 25th May 2018, repealing the Data Protection Act (1998).

For the purpose of applicable data protection legislation (including but not limited to the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) (the “GDPR”), and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA2018) the organisation responsible for your personal data is Elm Surgery.

This notice describes how we collect, use and process your personal data and how, in doing so, we comply with our legal obligations to you. Your privacy is important to us and we are committed to protecting and safeguarding your data privacy rights. This privacy policy applies to the personal data collected from candidates applying for roles within the organisation.

How we use your information and the law

Elm Surgery will be what is known as the ‘controller’ of the personal data you provide to us. Upon applying for work with the organisation you will be asked to supply the following personal information:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone numbers
• Email address
• Date of birth
• Previous employment data
• Recruitment information such as your application form and CV, references, qualifications and membership of any professional bodies and details of your employment history, skills and experience
• Information about your current level of remuneration, including benefit entitlements
• Whether or not you have a disability for which the organisation needs to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process
• Information in relation to your right to work in the UK
• Information from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in order to administer relevant checks and procedures
• Vaccination and immunisation status/information

The information that we ask you to provide to the organisation is required for the following reasons:

• In order for us to review your application
• In order for us to contact you with interview details
• To comply with appropriate employment law
• To ensure that we can provide any reasonable adjustments as necessary

The organisation may collect this information in a variety of ways, for example from application forms, CVs or resumes, obtained from your passport or other identity documents such as your driving licence and from forms completed by you or through interviews, meetings or other assessments including on-line tests.

This personal data might be provided to us by you, or someone else (such as a former employer’s reference, information from background check providers including criminal records checks permitted by law) or it could be created by us.

The organisation will seek information from third parties only once a job offer has been made to you and we will inform you that we are doing so.

Your personal data will be stored in a range of different places including in your application record, in the organisation’s HR management systems and in other IT systems (including the organisation’s email system).

Throughout the application process we will collect data and add this to your personnel file i.e., interview question answers, interview scores etc.

Special categories of personal data

Some special categories of personal data, such as information about health or medical conditions, is processed to carry out employment law obligations (such as those in relation to job applicants with disabilities).

For some roles, the organisation is obliged to seek information about criminal convictions and offences. Where we seek this information, we do so because it is necessary for us to carry out our obligations and exercise specific rights in relation to employment.

Where the organisation processes other special categories of personal data such as information about ethnic origin, sexual orientation or religion or belief, this is done for the purposes of equal opportunities monitoring. Data that the organisation uses for these purposes is anonymised or is collected with the express consent of job applicants which can be withdrawn at any time. Job applicants are entirely free to decide whether or not to provide such data and there are no consequences of failing to do so.

If your application is unsuccessful, the organisation may keep your personal data on file in case there are future job opportunities for which you may be considered. We will seek your consent to do this and you are free to withdraw your consent at any time.

Automated decision-making

Employment decisions are not based solely on automated decision-making.

How do we lawfully use your data?

We need to know your personal, sensitive and confidential data in order to employ you. Under the General Data Protection Regulation we will be lawfully using your information in accordance with:

• Article 6, (b) Necessary for performance of/entering into contract with you
• Article 9(2) (b) Necessary for controller to fulfil employment rights or obligations in employment

This notice applies to the personal data of our candidates applying for work at Elm Surgery.

How do we maintain the confidentiality of your record?

We are committed to protecting your privacy and will only use information collected lawfully in accordance with:

• Data Protection Act 2018
• The UK General Data Protection Regulations
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Common Law Duty of Confidentiality
• NHS Codes of Confidentiality, Information Security and Records Management

We will only ever use or pass on information about you to others who have a genuine need for it. We will not disclose your information to any third party without your permission unless there are exceptional circumstances (i.e., life or death situations) or where the law requires information to be passed on.

Our policy is to respect the privacy of our candidates and to maintain compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and all UK specific Data Protection Requirements. Our policy is to ensure all personal data will be protected.

All employees and sub-contractors engaged by Elm Surgery are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. The organisation will, if required, sign a separate confidentiality agreement if the client deems it necessary. If a sub-contractor acts as a data processor for Elm Surgery an appropriate contract (art 24-28) will be established for the processing of your information.

Where do we store your information electronically?

All the personal data we process is processed by our organisation in the UK. However, for the purposes of IT hosting and maintenance this information may be located on servers within the European Union.

No third parties have access to your personal data unless the law allows them to do so and appropriate safeguards have been put in place.  We have a data protection regime in place to oversee the effective and secure processing of your personal and or special category (sensitive, confidential) data.

Who are our partner organisations?

We may also have to share your information, subject to strict agreements on how it will be used, with the following organisations:

• Primary Care Networks
• Integrated Care Systems
• NHS Commissioning Support Units
• Clinical Commissioning Groups
• NHS England (NHSE) and NHS Digital (NHSD)
• Local authorities
• CQC
• Private sector providers providing employment services
• Other ‘data processors’ which you will be informed of

Sharing your personal data

Your information may be shared internally for the purpose of the recruitment exercise including with members of the management and recruitment team, interviewers in the recruitment process, managers or partners in the business area with the vacancy and IT staff if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles.

The organisation will not share your personal data with third parties except those engaged for the purposes of the recruitment process or unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment.  We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you, employment background check providers to obtain necessary background checks and the Disclosure and Barring Service to obtain necessary criminal record checks.

The organisation will not transfer your data to countries outside the European Economic Area.

You will be informed who your data will be shared with and in some cases asked for consent for this to happen when this is required.

We may also use external companies to process personal information such as for archiving purposes. These companies are bound by contractual agreements to ensure information is kept confidential and secure.  All employees and sub-contractors engaged by Elm Surgery are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. If a sub-contractor acts as a data processor for the organisation, an appropriate contract (art 24-28) will be established for the processing of your information.

Who is the data controller?

Elm Surgery is registered as a data controller under the Data Protection Act 2018. Our registration number is Z5657894 and our registration can be viewed online in the public register at http://www.ico.gov.uk. This means we are responsible for handling your personal and healthcare information and collecting and storing it appropriately.

We may also process your information for a particular purpose and therefore we may also be data processors. The purposes for which we use your information are set out in this privacy notice.

How long do we keep your personal information?

We are required under UK law to keep your information and data for the full retention periods as specified by the NHS Records Management Code of Practice for health and social care and national archives requirements.

If your application is unsuccessful, the organisation will hold your personal data for a period of six months following the recruitment process. If you agree to allow the organisation to keep your personal data on file, for consideration for future job opportunities, we will hold your data for a further six months.  At the end of that period (or once you withdraw consent), your data will be deleted or destroyed.

If your application for employment is successful, personal data gathered during the recruitment process will be transferred to your personnel file and retained during your employment.

More information on records retention can be found online at: NHSX – Records Management Code of Practice 2020.

Storing DBS certificates

The correct storage of DBS certificate information is important. The code of practice requires that the information revealed is considered only for the purpose for which it was obtained and should be destroyed after six months.

How can you access, amend or move the personal data that you have given to us?

Even if we already hold your personal data, you still have various rights in relation to it. For further information about this, please contact the practice manager/practice operations manager. We will seek to deal with your request without undue delay and in any event in accordance with the requirements of any applicable laws. Please note that we may keep a record of your communications to help us resolve any issues which you raise.

• Right to object: If we are using your data because we deem it necessary for our legitimate interests to do so, and you do not agree, you have the right to object. We will respond to your request within 30 days (although we may be allowed to extend this period in certain cases). Generally, we will only disagree with you if certain limited conditions apply.
• Right to withdraw consent: Where we have obtained your consent to process your personal data for certain activities (for example for a research project), or consent to market to you, you may withdraw your consent at any time.
• Right to erasure: In certain situations (for example, where we have processed your data unlawfully), you have the right to request us to “erase” your personal data. We will respond to your request within 30 days (although we may be allowed to extend this period in certain cases) and will only disagree with you if certain limited conditions apply. If we do agree to your request, we will delete your data but will generally assume that you would prefer us to keep a note of your name on our register of individuals who would prefer not to be contacted. That way, we will minimise the chances of you being contacted in the future where your data is collected in unconnected circumstances. If you would prefer us not to do this, you are free to say so.
• Right of data portability: If you wish, you have the right to transfer your data from us to another data controller.

Your rights as a candidate applying for work

Data Subject Access Requests (DSAR): You have a right under the data protection legislation to request access to view or to obtain copies of what information this organisation holds about you and to have it amended should it be inaccurate. To request this, you need to do the following:

• Your request should be made to The Practice Manager, Elm Surgery
• There is no charge to have a copy of the information held about you. However we may, in some limited and exceptional circumstances, have to make an administrative charge for any extra copies if the information requested is excessive, complex or repetitive
• We are required to provide you with information within one month. We would ask therefore that any requests you make are in writing and it is made clear to us what and how much information you require
• You will need to give adequate information (for example full name, address, date of birth and details of your request) so that your identity can be verified and your records located

What should you do if your personal information changes?

You should tell us so that we can update our records. Please contact the practice manager/ practice operations manager as soon as any of your details change, this is especially important for changes of address or contact details (such as your mobile phone number).

What to do if you have any questions

Should you have any questions about this privacy policy or the information we hold about you, you can:

1.    Contact the organisation via email at elm.surgery@nhs.net
2.    Write to the data protection officer at Delt Shared Services Ltd, BUILDING 2 –   DELT, Derriford Business Park, Plymouth, PL6 5QZ
3.    Ask to speak to the practice manager Sarah Giles or their deputy Leigh Rowing-Parker

The data protection officer (DPO) for Plymouth is Bex Lovewell.

Objections or complaints

In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with any element of our data-processing methods, do please contact the practice manager/ practice operations manager at Elm Surgery, 123 Leypark Walk, Estover, Plymouth PL6 8UH in the first instance. If you feel that we have not addressed your concern appropriately, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the ICO. For further details, visit ico.gov.uk and select “Raising a concern” or telephone: 0303 123 1113

The Information Commissioner’s Office is the regulator for the General Data Processing Regulations and offers independent advice and guidance on the law and personal data including your rights and how to access your personal information.

Changes to our privacy policy

We regularly review our employee privacy policy and any updates will be published to reflect the changes. This policy is to be reviewed June 2023.

During some types of treatment or examination your clinician may have a nurse or health care assistant working with them. There may be times when they might not need to have a clinical member of staff with them but would like to use a chaperone for your comfort.

If this is not offered but you feel at any time during your appointment that you would like to have this service, please ask your clinician at any time during your appointment.

The practice complies with 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 clinical staff.

There is disabled parking available at the surgery.

If you require assistance, please let us know.

Information about the general practitioners and the practice required for disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act can be made available to the public.

All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.

Patients have the right

• To receive NHS services free of charge, apart from certain limited exceptions sanctioned by Parliament.
• To access NHS services and not be refused access on unreasonable grounds.
• To expect the practice to assess the health requirements of the local community and to commission and put in place the services to meet those needs as considered necessary.
• In certain circumstances to go to other European Economic Area countries or Switzerland for treatment which would be available through the NHS.
• Not to be unlawfully discriminated against in the provision of NHS services including on grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability (including learning disability or mental illness) or age.
• To access services within maximum waiting times, or to be offered a range of alternative providers if this is not possible.
• To be treated with a professional standard of care, by appropriately qualified and experienced staff, in a properly approved or registered organisation that meets required levels of safety and quality.
• To be treated with dignity and respect, in accordance with their human rights.
• To accept or refuse treatment that is offered, and not to be given any physical examination or treatment unless valid consent has been given.
• To be given information about their proposed treatment in advance, including any significant risks and any alternative treatments which may be available, and the risks involved in doing nothing.
• To privacy and confidentiality and to expect the practice to keep their confidential information safe and secure.
• To access to their own health records.
• To choose their GP practice, and to be accepted by that practice unless there are reasonable grounds to refuse, in which case they will be informed of those reasons.
• To express a preference for using a particular doctor within their GP Practice.
• To make choices about their NHS care and to information to support these choices.
• To be involved in discussions and decisions about their healthcare, and to be given information to enable them to do this.
• To be involved, directly or through representatives, in the planning of healthcare services, the development and consideration of proposals for changes in the way those services are provided, and in decisions to be made affecting the operation of those services.
• To have any complaint you make about NHS services dealt with efficiently, to have it properly investigated, know the outcome and escalate the complaint to the independent Health Service Ombudsman.
• To make a claim for judicial review if they think they have been directly affected by an unlawful act or decision of an NHS body.
• To compensation where they have been harmed by negligent treatment.

Patient Responsibilities

• To make a significant contribution to their own, and their family’s, good health and well-being, and take some personal responsibility for it.
• To treat NHS staff and other patients with respect and recognise that causing a nuisance or disturbance on NHS premises could result in prosecution.
• To provide accurate information about their health, condition and status.
• To keep appointments, or cancel within reasonable time.
• To follow the course of treatment which they have agreed, and talk to their clinician if they find this difficult.
• To participate in important public health programmes such as vaccinations.
• To ensure that those closest to them are aware of their wishes about organ donation.
• To give feedback, both positive and negative about the treatment and care they have received, including any adverse reactions they may have had.

The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons.

Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to a fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal form the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.