Under the Data Protection Act, the data controller is the person or organisation that will decide the purpose and the manner in which any personal data will be processed – they have overall control of the data they collect, and decide how and why it will be processed.

 

A GP Practice is a data controller for the patient information it collects, and should already have data processing arrangements with third parties (e.g. IT systems providers) to ensure they do not use or access data unlawfully; the data controllers will have ultimate responsibility for the Practices’ compliance with the DPA.

Personal data must be processed in a fair manner – the DPA says that information should be treated as being obtained fairly if it is provided by a person who is legally authorised or required to provide it. Fair Processing means that the Practice has to be clear and open with people about how their information is used.

 

Providing a ‘Privacy Notice’ is a way of stating the Practice’s commitment to being transparent and is a part of fair processing, however you also need to consider the effects of processing on the individuals and patients concerned;

• What information are we collecting?
• Who collects the data?
• How is it collected?
• Why do we collect it?
• How will we use the data?
• Who will we share it with?
• What is the effect on the individuals?
• If we use it as intended, will it cause individuals to object or complain?

Conducting a Privacy Impact Assessment is an effective way of assessing whether you can safely collect or use patient data according to the DPA and Information Governance requirements.

What is a Privacy Notice?

A Privacy Notice (or ‘Fair Processing Notice’) is an explanation of what information the Practice collects on patients, and how it is used. Being transparent and providing clear information to patients about how a Practice uses their personal data is an essential requirement of the Data Protection Act 2018.

Under the DPA, the first principle is to process personal data in a fair and lawful manner, and applies to everything that is done with patient’s personal information. In practice, this means that the Practice must;

• have legitimate reasons for the use or collection of personal data
• not use the data in a way that may cause adverse effects on the individuals (e.g. improper sharing of their information with 3^rd parties)
• be transparent about how you the data will be used, and give appropriate privacy notices when collecting their personal data
• handle personal data only as reasonably expected to do so
• make no unlawful use of the collected data

Privacy Notice

Privacy Notice Information

National Data Opt Out – Privacy Notices

Risk stratification

 

Risk stratification involves applying computer searches to your medical records  from a number of sources, including NHS trusts and GP practices, to identify those patients who are most at risk of certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, and who will benefit from clinical care to help prevent or better treat their condition.  It’s a process for identifying and managing patients who are most likely to need hospital or other healthcare services, so that such patients can receive additional care/support from their GP or care team as early as possible. The aim is to prevent ill health and possible future hospital stays, rather than wait for you to become sick.

 

Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006 provides a statutory legal basis to process personal health related data for risk stratification purposes.

Please be reassured that any information which identifies you – resulting from the aforementioned computer searches – will only be seen by this Practice.

If you do not wish information about you to be included in the risk stratification programme, please let us know. We can add a code to your health care record that will stop your information from being used for this purpose. “

Bradford’s Tong Medical Practice is rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found the quality of care provided by Tong Medical Practice to be Outstanding following an inspection carried out in February 2015.

Inspectors found that the practice was providing an innovative, safe, caring, effective, responsive and well led service that is dedicated to improving outcomes for its patients. The practice was rated as Outstanding for the care and treatment provided to all population groups.

 

Tong Medical Practice provides a primary care service to patients living in and around Bradford. The practice also provides services one morning a week at Holme Wood Health Centre also in Bradford.

A full report of the inspection has been published today: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-587967049

Under CQC’s new programme of inspections, all England’s GP practices are being given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

The report on Tong Medical Practice highlights a number of areas of good and outstanding practice, including:

• The practice had a dedicated member of staff in a patient liaison role. Their role included working with the patient participation group (PPG) and the community interest company (CIC) to improve services for patients.
• One GP had a specific interest to improve care for patients with mental ill health and learning disabilities. This GP provided extended appointments for patients with mental health problems, and was a resource for other clinicians.
• Working closely with the local secondary school, the practice established weekly drop in clinics for young people to discuss health concerns and we saw that there was a good level of take up of this service.
• The practice worked very closely with other health professionals, community and voluntary services, and were focused on using every opportunity for health promotion. A community interest company, Healthy Lifestyle, had been initiated at the practice and provided a wide range of additional clinics and services for patients.
• The majority of patients spoke positively about the care and treatment they received. Patients also told inspectors that staff at the practice were very good at signposting them to services offering support and that the practice had set up a number of support groups for patients.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.

Sue McMillan, deputy chief inspector of General Practice in the North said:

“It is clear that Tong Medical Practice is providing an effective, highly responsive and caring service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Bradford.

 

“I was particularly impressed with practice’s proactive work to encourage patient engagement amongst the younger population and initiate positive service improvements.

 

“We found that staff demonstrated a sound understanding of the differing needs of their patients and acted on these needs in the planning and delivery of its services

 

“The GPs and staff have demonstrated a real commitment to their patient’s wellbeing.

 

“All of this hard work and dedication pays off in making a real difference for their patients – which is why we have found this practice to be Outstanding.”

 

Dr Angela Moulson, senior GP partner at Tong Medical Practice, said: “We are delighted that the CQC has recognised our practice as ‘outstanding’. We are the first in Bradford – and the first in Yorkshire and Humber – to be rated at such a high level and puts the practice among the best in the country, which makes us extremely proud.

 

“We have a fantastic skilled team of staff who work hard and really care about our patients, their health and how we can help them improve their overall wellbeing. The report highlights the strong links we have with the local community and how this enhances our relationship with patients by better understanding of their lifestyles and the challenges, both medical and social, that many of them face.

 

“By working closely with voluntary and community sector partners, we’re able to offer a wider service by signposting people to help and advice which can have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. We have over 8,000 patients but we treat them all as individuals, engage with them and listen to their feedback, and always try to offer the very best care we can.”

 

Dr Andy Withers, clinical chair of NHS Bradford Districts CCG, added: “This CQC report is great news; it shows how strong leadership, coupled with the engagement of staff and patients alike, makes for a very effective GP practice, which delivers care tailored to the needs of the local community.

 

“Staff at the practice should be rightly proud of their achievement as it reflects the commitment they have to their patients and their drive to help people live healthier lifestyles, whatever their background and circumstances, by offering high quality care and working closely with other support services.”

The aim of the accessible information standard is to make sure that people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss get information that they can access and understand, and any communication support that they need.

If you have a information or communication need, please let Reception know and we can quickly update your records to show this requirement.