At Crocus Medical Practice, we are committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring that it is used appropriately, securely, and confidentially.

To provide safe and effective healthcare, we keep records about you in both electronic and, where necessary, paper formats. These records may include:

• Your name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Contact details
• NHS number
• Next of kin information
• Details of your health, treatment, and care

Your NHS number is used across NHS services to help ensure that your records are accurate and that information can be shared safely between healthcare organisations involved in your care.

 

How We Use Your Information

Sharing relevant information with healthcare professionals involved in your care is an important part of delivering safe, effective, and coordinated treatment.

Your information may be used to:

• Provide healthcare and treatment
• Coordinate care between healthcare providers
• Support clinical audits and quality improvement
• Improve NHS services
• Support education and training
• Meet legal and regulatory requirements
• Participate in approved research where appropriate

We only share information where there is a lawful basis to do so and where appropriate safeguards are in place.

 

Confidentiality and Security

We place the highest importance on protecting your confidentiality.

Your information is managed in accordance with:

• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
• Data Protection Act 2018
• NHS Confidentiality Guidelines
• NHS Information Governance Standards

Access to your records is restricted to authorised individuals who require the information to perform their duties.

All staff have a legal and professional duty to keep your information confidential.

 

Use of Information for Audit and Research

To improve healthcare services, patient information may occasionally be used for clinical audits and service improvement activities.

Where information is used:

• Access is limited to authorised staff.
• Confidentiality requirements are strictly followed.
• Information is only used where there is a legitimate purpose.

If information is required for research purposes, patient consent will usually be sought unless another lawful basis applies under national regulations.

 

Legal and Emergency Circumstances

There are limited situations where information may be shared without your consent, including:

• When required by law.
• To support a police investigation where legally appropriate.
• To protect a child or vulnerable adult from harm.
• In emergency situations where there is a serious risk to health or safety.

Any such disclosure is carefully considered and only the minimum necessary information is shared.

 

Contacting You

We may use the contact details you provide to communicate with you about your healthcare.

This may include:

• Appointment reminders
• Test result notifications
• Important health-related communications

Contact may be made by telephone, text message, letter, email, or other approved communication methods.

If you do not wish to receive certain communications, please inform the Practice.

 

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Know how your information is used.
• Request access to your health records.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Raise concerns about how your information is handled.
• Object to certain uses of your information where permitted by law.

For more information about your rights, please speak to a member of the Practice team.

 

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

Our Commitment

Crocus Medical Practice is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Protecting those who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation is everyone's responsibility, and we take this duty extremely seriously.

Where concerns are identified, we will work closely with other agencies, including:

• Social Care Services
• Health Visitors
• School Nursing Teams
• NHS Trusts
• Police Services
• Local Safeguarding Partnerships

This information will only be shared when appropriate and in accordance with safeguarding legislation and guidance.

 

If You Have Concerns

If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of:

• A child
• A young person
• A vulnerable adult

Please speak to a GP, Practice Nurse, or member of the Practice team as soon as possible.

All concerns will be treated sensitively, taken seriously, and handled in accordance with safeguarding procedures.

 

Further Information

If you have questions about how we use your information or our safeguarding responsibilities, please contact the Practice.