Patient Record

The NHS wants to give people better ways to see their personal health information online. We know that people want to be able to access their health records. It can help you see test results faster. It also lets you read and review notes from your appointments in your own time.

We’re now letting you see all the information within your health record automatically. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as through the NHS App, NHS website, or another online primary care service, you will now be able to see all future notes and health records from your GP Surgery. Some people can already access this feature, this won’t change for you.

This means that you will be able to see notes from your appointments, as well as test results and any letters that are saved on your records. This only applies to records from your GP Surgery, not from hospitals or other specialists. You will only be able to see information from 1^st November 2022. For most people, access will be automatic, and you won’t need to do anything.

Your GP may talk to you to discuss test results before you are able to see some of your information on the app.  In some instances, having access to the notes may not be in your best interest. If you think that you should have full access but are unable to view your record, can you please discuss this with your GP.

These changes only apply to people with online accounts. If you do not want an online account, you can still access your health records by requesting this information through reception. The changes also only apply to personal information about you. If you are a carer and would like to see information about someone you care for, speak to reception staff.

The NHS App, website and other online services are all very secure, so no one is able to access your information except you. You’ll need to make sure you protect your login details. Don’t share your password with anyone as they will then have access to your personal information.

If you do not want to see your health record, or if you would like more information about these changes, please speak to your GP or reception staff.

There are two ways in which your data is shared by default:

1. Sharing for Improved Treatment
2. Sharing for Research and Planning

The first way data is shared ensures clinicians treating your immediate health needs can access the record held by your GP to ensure they have the most comprehensive and accurate information in front of them to treat you. This includes local hospitals, out-patient services and community nursing teams.

There are three sub-sets of how this first grouping of data sharing practices operate:

• Summary Care Record (SCR)
• Connecting Care Record
• Local record sharing

Further information on each, including how to opt-out, can be found further down this page.

We strongly advise that no-one opts out of this level of data sharing as to do so could have negative implications on the efficiency and immediacy of your treatment if you need the services of an out of hours GP, a community-based health provider (such as district nurses) or need to receive emergency hospital treatment. This type of data sharing (where your identifiable information is accessible to other NHS and Public Health bodies) has also played an important role in ensuring everyone has been invited for seasonal vaccinations (e.g. Covid and Flu) either locally by us or texts sent by NHS England.

The second way in which data is shared is the sharing of anonymised health information as part of a national response to inform and shape future models of healthcare, placement of healthcare services and the development of new services and treatments, particularly for those with chronic or complex health needs.

Fortunately, most of us are free of chronic or complex health concerns but they can catch up with any of us at any time. For many years, anonymised patient data has been shared in this way with universities, research institutes and drug companies. 

There are many misconceptions about this type of sharing, but here are some key facts:

• Your data is not being sold.
• Your data will not be used for insurance or marketing purposes.
• Your data will not be used for promoting or selling services.
• Your data will not be used for market research or advertising.
• Your name and full address is not being collected or shared.
• The written notes (free text) of any consultations or interactions between patients and clinicians is not being collected or shared.
• Images, letters, videos or documents of any description attached to your medical record are not being collected or shared.

Without the sharing of this rich source of data, we would not have made so many of the advances we have seen in recent years in all forms of care and treatment for serious illness and disease which destroy lives. If you would still like to opt-out, more information on the two types of opt-out can be found below.

Your Summary Care Record contains important information about any medicines you are taking, any allergies and any adverse reactions to medicines that you have previously experienced.

Allowing authorised healthcare staff to have access to this information will improve decision making by doctors and other healthcare professionals and has prevented mistakes being made when patients are being cared for in an emergency or when their GP practice is closed.

Healthcare staff will have access to this information, so that they can provide safer care, whenever or wherever you need it, anywhere in England.

Your Summary Care Record also includes your name, address, date of birth and your unique NHS Number to help identify you correctly. Therefore it is very important to ensure we have the most recent and correct information including your mobile phone number.

NHS England require practices to enable successful automated uploads of any changes to patient’s summary information, at least on a daily basis, to the summary care record (SCR).

For more information, please visit the NHS England page.

If you do not wish your medical records to be accessible in this way then you need to let us know so we can update your record. You can do this via the opt out form here.

Please do consider this carefully though and read the attached information as it may have serious implications for your medical care in an emergency situation. This form should be handed into reception, sent back to us in the post or emailed to bnssg.tyntesfieldmedicalgroup@nhs.net.

To provide the best possible care, health and social care professionals need the most up to date information about you. 

Your health and social care records are now shared with the professionals involved in your care. Together, Connecting Care provide care for nearly one million people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Sharing your digital records with the people who look after you gives them the most up-to-date information about you and makes your care safer and more efficient. Please click here for more information.

If you are happy for your information to be shared locally in this way, you do not need to do anything further.

If you do wish to opt out (not recommended) information on how to do this can be found here.

In addition to the above, there is a local record sharing system which allows professionals involved in your care to access your GP medical record. This makes it much easier for professionals to treat you, since they have access to what has happened in the past, and improves the quality of care you get. For example, if you see your GP on Friday with a problem, the out of hours GP will be able to see the consultation which helps both them and you get a better outcome.  Sharing agreements include the local hospitals, out of hours doctors and district nursing teams. 

If you wish to opt out (not recommended) - please complete Local Opt Outs or email bnssg.tyntesfieldmedicalgroup@nhs.net.

Your health records contain a type of data called confidential patient information. This data can be used to help with research and planning.

There are two types of opt-outs:

• Type-1 Opt-out
• National Data Opt-out

More information on each of these can be found below.

Type-1 Opt-Outs stop your GP surgery from sharing your data for research and planning purposes. They do not prevent NHS Digital and other health and social care organisations from doing the same.

They also do not prevent your GP surgery from sharing your data for the purpose of care, such as your Summary Care Record (SCR) or a direct local sharing agreement with a hospital. Please see the information above for more details.

To arrange a Type-1 Opt-Out, please fill out this form and either hand it in at reception or email it to bnssg.tyntesfieldmedicalgroup@nhs.net.

The National Data Opt-Out stops NHS Digital and other health and social care organisations (including your GP surgery) from sharing your data for research and planning purposes.

They also do not prevent your GP surgery from sharing your data for the purpose of care, such as your Summary Care Record (SCR) or a direct local sharing agreement with a hospital. Please see the information above for more details.

You can manage your decision through the NHS App, or by visiting the Your NHS Data Matters page of the NHS website.

A parent or guardian can request to opt out children under 16 but ultimately it is the GP's decision whether to create the records or not because of their duty of care to the child.

If you are the parent or guardian of a child under 16 and feel they are able to understand, then you should make this information available to them.