Privacy Notice (GDPR)

Patient and Service User Privacy Notice

Last updated: [01/05/2025]

At Forest Edge Practice, we are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who We Are

Forest Edge Practice is a General Practice providing primary care services. Our contact details are:

Forest Edge Practice
[Hainault Medical Centre, Manford Way, Chigwell IG7 4DF]
[02085599996]
Data Protection Officer: [Mr Jihan Kibria]

2. Why We Collect Your Information

We collect and use your personal information to:

• Provide healthcare services and treatment
• Manage your care with other healthcare providers
• Send appointment reminders and health check invitations
• Fulfil our legal and regulatory obligations (e.g., NHS Digital submissions)
• Safeguard patients and staff

3. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

• Personal details (e.g. name, date of birth, address, contact information)
• NHS number
• Medical records and health information (diagnoses, treatments, medications)
• Details of your interactions with us (appointments, consultations)
• Information from other health and social care providers

4. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process your data under the following legal bases:

• Provision of direct care (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(e); Article 9(2)(h))
• Legal obligation (e.g., under the NHS Act 2006)
• Public interest or consent, where applicable

5. Who We Share Your Information With

We may share your information with:

• NHS organisations (e.g., hospitals, community services)
• Local authorities and social care providers
• Pharmacies
• Out-of-hours or emergency services
• Other third-party services involved in your care
• NHS Digital, when legally required

We only share the minimum necessary data and always under strict confidentiality agreements.

6. How We Store Your Information

Your records are stored securely on our electronic systems and in limited paper format. Access is restricted to authorised personnel only.

7. How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain your records in accordance with the NHS Records Management Code of Practice. This typically means keeping adult health records for at least 8 years after your last contact with us.

8. Your Rights

You have rights under the UK GDPR, including:

• Access to your data (Subject Access Request)
• Correction of inaccurate information
• Objection to or restriction of certain uses of your data
• Right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

For full details, visit the ICO website.

9. Retention Period

GP medical records will be kept in line with the law and national guidance. Information on how long records are kept can be found on NHS Digital  or speak to the practice.

10. Contacting Us

If you have any questions or concerns about your data or wish to exercise your rights, please contact:

Practice Manager / Data Protection Officer
Forest Edge Practice
Jihan Kibria, Practice Business Manager

Right to Complain

You have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
 

Complain to the ICO or call the helpline 0303 123 1113

Data we get from other organisations

We receive information about your health from other organisations who are involved in providing you with health and social care. For example, if you go to hospital for treatment or an operation the hospital will send us a letter to let us know what happens. This means your GP medical record is kept up-to date when you receive care from other parts of the health service.

How Forest Edge Practice uses your information to provide you with healthcare

This practice keeps medical records confidential and complies with the General Data Protection Regulation.

We hold your medical record so that we can provide you with safe care and treatment.

We will also use your information so that this practice can check and review the quality of the care we provide. This helps us to improve our services to you.

• We will share relevant information from your medical record with other health or social care staff or organisations when they provide you with care.
  • For example, your GP will share information when they refer you to a specialist in a hospital.
  • Or your GP will send details about your prescription to your chosen pharmacy.
• Healthcare staff working in A&E and out-of-hours care will also have access to your information.
  • For example, it is important that staff who are treating you in an emergency know if you have any allergic reactions.
  • This will involve the use of your Summary Care Record. For more information see NHS Digital Summary Care Record or alternatively speak to your practice.
• You have the right to object to information being shared for your own care.
  • Please speak to the practice if you wish to object.
  • You also have the right to have any mistakes or errors corrected.

Other important information about how your information is used to provide you with healthcare

Registering for NHS Care

• All patients who receive NHS care are registered on a national database.
• This database holds your name, address, date of birth and NHS Number but it does not hold information about the care you receive.
• The database is held by NHS Digital, a national organisation which has legal responsibilities to collect NHS data.
• More information can be found at NHS Digital or the phone number for general enquires at NHS Digital is 0300 303 5678

Identifying patients who might be at risk of certain diseases

• Your medical records will be searched by a computer programme so that we can identify patients who might be at high risk from certain diseases such as heart disease or unplanned admissions to the hospital.
• This means we can offer patients additional care or support as early as possible.
• This process will involve linking information from your GP record with information from other health or social care services you have used.
• The information which identifies you will only be seen by this practice.

 More information can be found on the Capita Healthcare Decisions website

Safeguarding

• Sometimes we need to share information so that other people, including healthcare staff, children or others with safeguarding needs, are protected from risk of harm.
• These circumstances are rare.
• We do not need your consent or agreement to do this.
• Please see our local policies for more information.