Protecting your information
Why information is collected about you?
Doctors, nurses and other health professionals caring for you keep information about your health and the care you receive from the NHS. Some of this information may be held by Bexley Care Trust, when necessary to better co-ordinate your care.
What information do we keep about you?
The information we hold may include some of the following:
- basic details such as your name, address and next of kin
- details of any as clinic visits
- notes about your health and any treatment or care you needed
- test results
Why do we need your information?
Some of this information is used for statistical purposes and is carried out anonymously. This helps us to improve our services and plan for the future. We also need your information to ensure that:
- you receive the best possible care
- doctors, nurses or other healthcare professionals involved in your care have accurate information to assess your health and future care needs
- full information is available should you see another doctor, or be referred to a specialist or another part of the NHS
- to assess the type and quality of care you have received
your concerns can be properly investigated if you are not happy with the care you have received.
How is information about you is protected?
We have a legal duty to keep information about you confidential. Information about you can be given to your relatives, carers and friends only with your consent.You may receive care from other people as well as the NHS (like Social Services). We may need to share some information about you so we can all work together for your benefit. Anyone who receives such information is also under a legal duty of confidentiality.
We will only pass on information about you if there is a genuine need. We will not disclose your information to third parties, unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as when the health or safety of others is at risk or where the law requires information to be passed on.
How can you access your health records?
The Data Protection Act 1998 allows you to find out what information we hold about you and this includes your health records.
If you would like to access your health records, please send us a written request. We will then contact you with further information.
For more information view Bexley Care Trust's Data Protection
Policy on the right hand link.
Write to us
You can write to us at the following address:
Subject Access Request
Information Governance
Bexley Care Trust
221 Erith Road
Bexleyheath
Kent DA76 HZ
Contact us
You can contact us for more information or to make a request for your
records on Tel: 0208 398 6000.
Under most circumstances, you are entitled to receive a copy of your records. However, you should be aware that in some cases your right to see some details in your health records may be limited in your own interest or for other reasons which will be explained to you.
The application to access your records can be made by you in writing, or a person authorised by you in writing, or a person appointed by a court has decided that you are not able to do so yourself.
