Patients have a right to expect that information about them will be held in confidence by their doctors.

Confidentiality is central to trust between doctors and patients  

The Practice commits to:

• Ensure all patient data is stored securely
• Ensure relevant staff are trained and understand their responsibilities
• Ensure all staff are fully trained in how to securely use the systems which record, access and send electronic data;
• Ensure administrative (e.g. patient names and addresses) and clinical information can be accessed separately, so that sensitive information is not automatically displayed when records are accessed.
• Ensure staff only access information that they have a legitimate reason to view and that a record is made each time a patients record is accessed

 However, sharing appropriate information is an essential part of providing efficient, safe and effective care for both the individual patient and the wider community of patients.

Although confidentiality is an important duty, it is not absolute because information can be disclosed if:

1. It is required by law
2. The patient consents – either implicitly for the sake of their own care or expressly for other purposes
3. It is needed in order to protect a patient or other third party from serious harm
4. It is justified in the public interest, for example to protect others from a serious communicable disease

 The Practice recognises that the principles of confidentiality apply equally to all patients, irrespective of age.  The Practice will ensure that its staff recognise that all patients under 18 are entitled to the same level of confidentiality as all other patients. The Practice has robust safeguarding policies in place to protect patients under the age of 18 and follows the guidance set out by the Gillick Competency and Fraser guidelines.