Huntingdon PCN Ltd is a Primary Care Network which has been created to work across Acorn Surgery, Hicks Group Practice, Priory Fields and Papworth Surgery to enable greater provision of proactive, personalised, coordinated and more integrated health and social care for patients.
For Huntingdon PCN Ltd to provide these services to GP Practices, we may need access to patient’s medical records to help care for you.
This means that PCN staff can login and access patient’s medical records across all 4 surgeries. If you would like to restrict access to your medical record to only staff from your individual surgery, please let us know and we can arrange that. However, this may mean you cannot have access to some services or receive the comprehensive care that we could provide you with.
In February 2024 Huntingdon PCN incorporated as a Limited Company. This will help us to integrate our services further independently and provide more services with increased clinical staff in collaboration with various health service providers.
Our Privacy Policy
1 Introduction
1.1 Policy statement
NHS Digital collects information with the purpose of improving health and care for everyone. The information collected is used to:
- Run the health service
- Manage epidemics
- Plan for the future
- Research health conditions, diseases and treatments
1.2 Principles
NHS Digital is a data controller and has a legal duty, in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), to explain why it is using patient data and what data is being used. Similarly, Huntingdon PCN Limited has a duty to advise patients of the purpose of personal data and the methods by which patient personal data will be processed.
1.3 Status
Aims to design and implement policies and procedures that meet the diverse needs of our service and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Consideration has been given to the impact this policy might have in regard to the individual protected characteristics of those to whom it applies.
This document and any procedures contained within it are non-contractual and may be modified or withdrawn at any time. For the avoidance of doubt, it does not form part of your contract of employment.
1.4 Training and support
Huntingdon PCN Limited will provide guidance and support to help those to whom it applies to understand their rights and responsibilities under this policy. Additional support will be provided to managers and supervisors to enable them to deal more effectively with matters arising from this policy.
2 Scope
2.1 Who it applies to
This document applies to all employees, partners and directors of the practice. Other individuals performing functions in relation to the practice, such as agency workers, locums and contractors, are encouraged to use it.
2.2 Why and how it applies to them
Everyone should be aware of the Huntingdon PCN Limited privacy notice and be able to advise patients, their relatives and carers what information is collected, how that information may be used and with whom Huntingdon PCN Limited will share that information.
The first principle of data protection is that personal data must be processed fairly and lawfully. Being transparent and providing accessible information to patients about how their personal data is used is a key element of the General Data Protection Regulation.
3 Definition of terms
3.1 Privacy notice
A statement that discloses some or all of the ways in which Huntingdon PCN Limited gathers, uses, discloses and manages a patient’s data. It fulfils a legal requirement to protect a patient’s privacy.
3.2 Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA18)
The Data Protection Act (DPA18) will ensure continuity by putting in place the same data protection regime in UK law pre- and post-Brexit.
3.3 Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
The UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
3.4 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The GDPR replaced the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and was designed to harmonise data privacy laws across Europe, to protect and empower all EU citizens’ data privacy and to reshape the way in which organisations across the region approach data privacy. The GPDR came into effect in May 2018.
3.5 Data controller
The entity that determines the purposes, conditions and means of the processing of personal data
3.6 Data subject
A natural person whose personal data is processed by a controller or processor
4 Compliance with regulations
4.1 GDPR
In accordance with the GDPR, this practice will ensure that information provided to subjects about how their data is processed will be:
- Concise, transparent, intelligible and easily accessible
- Written in clear and plain language, particularly if addressed to a child
- Free of charge
4.2 Article 5 compliance
In accordance with Article 5 of the GDPR, this PCN will ensure that any personal data is:
- Processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.
- Collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes.
- Adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is processed.
- Accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that is inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which it is processed, is erased or rectified without delay.
- Kept in a form that permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data is processed.
- Processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures.
Article 5 also stipulates that the controller shall be responsible for, and be able to demonstrate compliance with, the above.
4.3 Communicating privacy information
At Huntingdon PCN Limited our privacy notice is displayed on our website. We will:
- Inform patients how their data will be used and for what purpose
- Allow patients to opt out of sharing their data, should they so wish
4.4 What data will be collected?
At Huntingdon PCN Limited the following data will be used:
- Patient details (name, date of birth, NHS number)
- Address and NOK information
- Medical notes (paper and electronic)
- Details of treatment and care, including medications
- Results of tests (pathology, X-ray, etc.)
- Any other pertinent information
4.5 National data opt-out programme
The national data opt-out programme affords patients the opportunity to make an informed choice about whether they wish their confidential patient information to be used just for their individual care and treatment or also used for research and planning purposes.
Patients who wish to opt out of data collection will be able to set their national data opt-out choice online. An alternative provision will be made for those patients who are unable to do so or who do not want to use the online system.
Individuals who have opted out using the existing Type 2 opt-out will be automatically transferred to the new national data opt-out system and will be notified on an individual basis of the change.
Should any queries arise regarding the national data opt-out programme, Huntingdon PCN Limited will email the query to the national data opt-out enquiries mailbox: [email protected]
4.6 Privacy notice checklists
The ICO has provided a privacy notice checklist which can be used to support the writing of Huntingdon PCN Limited privacy notice. The checklist can be found by following this link.
5 Summary
It is the responsibility of all staff at Huntingdon PCN Limited to ensure that patients understand what information is held about them and how this information may be used. Furthermore, Huntingdon PCN Limited must adhere to the DPA18 and the GDPR to ensure compliance with extant legal rules and legislative acts.
Annex A – PCN Privacy Notice
Huntingdon PCN Limited has a legal duty to explain how we use any personal information we collect about you, as a registered patient, at the practice. Staff at this practice maintain records about your health and the treatment you receive in electronic and paper format.
What information do we collect about you?
We will collect information such as personal details, including name, address, next of kin, records of appointments, visits, telephone calls, your health records, treatment and medications, test results, X-rays, etc. and any other relevant information to enable us to deliver effective medical care.
How we will use your information
Your data is collected for the purpose of providing direct patient care; however, we can disclose this information if it is required by law, if you give consent or if it is justified in the public interest. Huntingdon PCN Limited may be requested to support research; however, we will always gain your consent before sharing your information with medical research databases such as the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Research or others when the law allows.
In order to comply with its legal obligations, this practice may send data to NHS Digital when directed by the Secretary of State for Health under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Additionally, this practice contributes to national clinical audits and will send the data that is required by NHS Digital when the law allows. This may include demographic data, such as date of birth, and information about your health which is recorded in coded form; for example, the clinical code for diabetes or high blood pressure.
Processing your information in this way and obtaining your consent ensures that we comply with Articles 6(1)(c), 6(1)(e) and 9(2)(h) of the GDPR.
What services do we provide that use your data?
The services currently provided by Huntingdon PCN Ltd include –
- Clinical Pharmacy services
- Community Matron services
- Health & Wellbeing Coaching
- Social Prescribing
By declining permission to share your data, your access to these services will be limited and may see increased waiting times.
Maintaining confidentiality and accessing your records
We are committed to maintaining confidentiality and protecting the information we hold about you. We adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the NHS Codes of Confidentiality and Security, as well as guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). You have a right to access the information we hold about you, and if you would like to access this information, you will need to complete a Subject Access Request (SAR). Please ask at reception for a SAR form and you will be given further information. Furthermore, should you identify any inaccuracies, you have a right to have the inaccurate data corrected.
Risk stratification
Risk stratification is a mechanism used to identify and subsequently manage those patients deemed as being at high risk of requiring urgent or emergency care. Usually this includes patients with long-term conditions, e.g. cancer. Your information is collected by a number of sources, including Huntingdon PCN Limited; this information is processed electronically and given a risk score which is relayed to your GP who can then decide on any necessary actions to ensure that you receive the most appropriate care.
Invoice validation
Your information may be shared if you have received treatment to determine which Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for paying for your treatment. This information may include your name, address and treatment date. All of this information is held securely and confidentially; it will not be used for any other purpose or shared with any third parties.
Opt-outs
You have a right to object to your information being shared. Should you wish to opt out of data collection, please contact a member of staff who will be able to explain how you can opt out and prevent the sharing of your information; this is done by registering to opt out online (national data opt-out programme) or if you are unable to do so or do not wish to do so online, by speaking to a member of staff.
Retention periods
In accordance with the NHS Codes of Practice for Records Management, your healthcare records will be retained for 10 years after death or, if a patient emigrates, for 10 years after the date of emigration.
What to do if you have any questions
Should you have any questions about our privacy policy or the information we hold about you, you can:
Contact the Huntingdon PCN Limited data controller via email at [email protected].
Or write to the data controller at:
Huntingdon PCN Ltd,
Floor 3,
Pathfinder House,
St Mary’s Street,
Huntingdon,
PE29 3TN
The Data Protection Officer (DPO) for Huntingdon PCN Limited is Tracy Shorter.
Complaints
In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with any element of our data-processing methods, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the ICO. For further details, visit https://ico.org.uk and select “Make a Complaint”.
Changes to our privacy policy
We regularly review our privacy policy and any updates will be published on our website, in our newsletter and on posters to reflect the changes. This policy is to be reviewed annually.
Version: 1.0
Review Date: 28/08/2024
Approved by: Tracy Shorter