Confidentiality statement

In the course of their employment or associated work with the Practice, staff may have access to, see or hear, confidential information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients, staff or associated healthcare professionals. Unless acting on the instructions of an authorised officer within the practice, on no account should such information be divulged or discussed, except in the performance of their normal duties. Breach of confidence, including the improper passing of registered computer data, will result in disciplinary action, which may lead to dismissal.

In addition, all records, including VDU screens and computer printouts of registered data, will never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them. VDU screens must always be cleared when left unattended and staff must ensure that they log out of computer systems, removing their password. All computer passwords are kept confidential.

No unauthorised use of the Internet or email is allowed.

Information concerning patients or staff is strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to unauthorised persons. This obligation shall continue in perpetuity.

Disclosures of confidential information or disclosures of any data of a personal nature can result in prosecution or an offence under the Data Protection Act 1998 or an action for civil damages under the same Act in addition to any disciplinary action taken by the Practice.