Health and Social Care Information Centre - more information and links

Patient Information Line

The national patient information line went live on 6th January.  The five most common questions have been:

1. Can I change my mind?  (FAQ 12)
2. I can’t get to my practice to object, what should I do? (FAQ 10)
3. How long have I got to decide if I want to object? (FAQ 11)
4. What is the secure environment mentioned in the leaflet? (FAQ 3)
5. Do I have to do anything if I want my information to be used?  (FAQ 17)

If you have any questions, please contact the national patient information line (0300 456 3531) or to the patient FAQs.  Accessible formats including Braille, audio and large print are available from the patient information line.  In addition, large print and audio formats are available from the patient website.

Animation

It is important that we communicate with patients in a range of formats.  So today, NHS England is launching an animation to support awareness-raising.   The main aims of the animation are (a) to explain the care.data programme and (b) to remind patients that they have a choice.  Subtitles are available.  

Misconceptions

There are a number of public misconceptions about how data will be used.  These are mostly due to a confusion around the different types of data that will be released by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). To make it easier for the public to understand,NHS England is referring to the different types as: red (personal confidential data), amber (pseudonymised) and green (aggregated or anonymised) data.  Each “colour" of data is protected by a different suite of privacy safeguards.  For an explanation, see this blog by the Chief Data Officer.  

For the avoidance of doubt:

• Data will not be made available for the purposes of selling or administering any kind of insurance
• Data will not be shared or used for marketing purposes (FAQ 23)

• NHS England and the HSCIC will not profit from providing data to outside organisations

Privacy Impact Assessment

For patients who wish to understand more about how their data is protected, NHS England has published a privacy impact assessment for the care.data programme.  This document provides details about the privacy implications of the programme (both negative and positive) and explains how they are mitigating each risk. In addition, the HSCIC has published a privacy impact assessment for all the personal data it processes, which includes the data extracted for care.data.

Summary Care Record

NHS England are that there continues to be some confusion about the differences between the Summary Care Record and the use of data for purposes beyond direct care.  For details, see FAQ 14 

Stay warm and well

The Staying Warm and Well Service runs until the end of March 2014.

You can find  information on staying warm and well at www.devon.gov.uk/keeping_warm_in_winter

Better Information, Better Care

As you may be aware, a leaflet entitled 'Better Information means better care' is being delivered to every household by the end of January. This leaflet  will describe how information in medical records is used for purposes beyond the direct care of the patient, including the care.data programme and research.

To read the leaflet visit:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/records/healthrecords/Documents/NHS_Door_drop_26-11-13.pdf

For more information please go to our web site page  Health & Social Care Information Centre or if you want to talk to someone about sharing information then until 31st March 2014, you can contact the patient information line. The number is 0300 456 3531.  

Please also read our web site page Summary Care Record to find out more information on sharing medical information with other front line health services.

If you wish to opt out of either of these data sharing models, details of how to do so can be found on the relevant web pages as above.

 

Staff Training

The surgery will be closed between 1pm and 2pm on Wednesday 15th January 2014 for staff training.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause

Come and work here

We have a vacancy for a receptionist.  Please click our job spot vacancy link on the web site.

It's a girl!

Congratulations to our GP Registrar,  Dr Harrie Jones, and her husband on the birth of their baby girl, Phoebe Grace.  Phoebe was born on 22nd December weighing in at 9lb 14 oz.

New Year, New Doctor

Just before Christmas we said goodbye to Dr Long.  We wish him all the very best at Clare House Surgery in Tiverton.

In case you missed our newsletter (read it by clicking the link on our web site)........................

We are very pleased to announce that from 6th February 2014, Dr Owens will be working here on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  In addition Dr Gibbons has increased her availability to 5 days per week.

Dr Long's patients will be transferred to Dr Owens, Dr Gibbons or Dr Stuart.  If we have not written to you to let you know that your new doctor will be Dr Gibbons or Dr Stuart then please assume you have been transferred to Dr Owens' list.  If you are not sure who you will be registered with, or you wish to discuss transfer to a new doctor please speak to reception when you next make contact with us.