Information about the practice

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives the public the right to know about how the practice is run, how much it costs and how its decisions are made.

This information is available in the Waterhouses Medical Practice Publication Scheme, on www.foi.nhs.uk/practice

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the ‘classes’ of information the practice intends to make available routinely.

Information about yourself

The Data Protection Act 1998 gives patients the right to access their clinical records or any other personal information held about them.

All information held about patients is completely confidential. The practice is registered under the Data Protection Act 1984 and this also protects data that is held on computers.

Please contact the Practice Manager, Kate Robotham, on 01538 308155or email: kate.robotham@northstaffs.nhs.uk

To find out more about the Data Protection Act visit: www.ico.gov.uk/

Confidentiality

Everyone working within the NHS has a legal duty to maintain the highest level of confidentiality about patient information. All our staff are bound by the rules of confidentiality.

Your medical history is recorded on our computer system and in paper records, which are accessed by authorised users only. This information is recorded to ensure the doctors and nurses have accurate and up-to-date information about your health needs.

Usually you may only wish to discuss your medical needs with a doctor or nurse; sometimes it is helpful to give further information to the reception staff so that they can ensure you get the right appointment or assistance. If you are checking in at the front desk and wish to speak to the receptionist in private, please ask as this can be arranged.

If you wish to do so you are entitled to view your medical records. To view your records please make an appointment with the Practice Manager as she needs to sit with you whilst you do. For any copies of notes requested a fee may be payable.

We have introduced a computer check-in at the Waterhouses surgery so that patients can check themselves in without speaking to a receptionist. The computer check-in is situated near our current reception desk, and will require patients to type in their gender (male or female) and their date of birth. This system has been introduced into many surgeries across the country and has proved popular. Again this is a strictly confidential check-in.