Data protection

An increasing amount of information is stored on our patient database and this helps us to provide a much more efficient service. The information is as secure and confidential as the information in your paper based medical record file.

We are properly registered as data users under the Data Protection Act. As such, personal records are held in both computer and paper form. For your present and future treatment, your personal and care details will be documented. This may be on paper (your medical records) or on a computer database. At all times great care is taken to ensure that high standards of confidentiality are maintained in respect of records held. We use the information, which we hold on patients for their benefit – e.g. reviewing and monitoring patients with a particular condition. We may also use the information for other reasons such as internal practice research, audits, training and planning purposes. All staff are bound by the current Data Protection Act and confidentiality is maintained at all times. The current Data Protection Act gives you the right of access to your information, held on paper and electronically. You may ask a doctor to see your records about your health. Please note that in order to cover administration time this request has to be made in writing and may take some days to arrange.

From time to time, staff from NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde PCT may join our own staff to help us review and update our systems. In order to carry out this work a small number of Trust staff have to be given access to patient information. They are each bound by patient confidentiality agreements. If you would like more information on this subject, or have any objections, please ask to speak to the Practice Manager who will be happy to discuss your query.