At Victoria Road Surgery, we are fully committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This includes how we manage and share your personal health information.
Consent is Essential
We will not share any patient information with anyone unless we have received explicit, documented consent from the patient.
This includes partners, family members, friends, carers or any third party.
We understand that sometimes someone may call us on behalf of their partner or relative, especially for convenience or support. However, under no circumstances will we disclose personal information or discuss a patient’s medical matters unless we have the patient’s clear and specific permission recorded.
What This Means in Practice
If you are calling on behalf of your partner (or anyone else), we will still require one of the following before we can engage in any conversation involving the patient’s records or care:
- A signed written consent from the patient held on file
- A verbal consent given directly by the patient during the call (we will need to speak to them directly to record this)
- A Power of Attorney for health and welfare, properly documented and registered
We will not accept implied consent, verbal assurances from a third party, or consent passed on second-hand.
Even if you live in the same household or are the next of kin, we still require the patient’s direct permission.
Emergencies and Capacity
In cases where the patient lacks the capacity to give consent (for example, due to a medical condition), we will follow legal protocols and involve safeguarding teams where appropriate. Any decision to share information will be carefully considered, justified, and recorded in line with professional guidelines and the law.
Updating or Withdrawing Consent
Patients have the right to withdraw or update their consent at any time. This must be done in writing. We will update our records promptly to reflect any change.
Why We’re So Strict
This policy is not about making things harder. It’s about protecting your personal data, respecting your rights, and making sure we’re compliant with the law. Your health records are sensitive, and we treat them with the utmost care.
Questions?
If you have any questions about giving consent or how your information is handled, please contact the surgery’s Data Protection Lead.
We thank you for your understanding and support in keeping everyone’s data safe.