The Practice uses your information to provide safe, effective and coordinated care.
Sharing information appropriately helps clinicians deliver better treatment, offer proactive advice, and ensure you receive the right support at the right time.
Patient Referrals
With your agreement, your GP or Clinical Practitioner may refer you to other NHS or community services. When this happens:
- your GP shares relevant information needed for your referral
- the service you attend will normally update your GP about the care they provide
- your GP or nurse will add this information to your medical record
This ensures everyone involved in your care has accurate, up‑to‑date information.
Local Care Record
Local NHS organisations have a duty to maintain complete and accurate information about your health so you can receive the best possible care. Sometimes, the people supporting you need to share information with other professionals involved in your treatment. This may include:
- GPs
- hospital specialists
- nurses
- health visitors
- community teams
Sharing information in this way helps staff access accurate details quickly, enabling safer, faster and more effective care.
This means that wherever you receive treatment, in hospital, at the practice, or in the community, the professionals caring for you can see the most up‑to‑date information when they need it.
Information is only shared when necessary and only with people directly involved in your care. Examples include:
- a hospital doctor checking your current medication
- your GP reviewing tests or treatment you received in hospital
Whenever possible, professionals will tell you when they access your record. In emergencies this may not always be possible, but every access is logged.
If You Do Not Want Your Information Shared
If you wish to limit or prevent certain types of information sharing, please speak to your GP or healthcare professional.
They can explain your options and any implications for your care.
Does the Practice Share My Information With Anyone Else?
Other NHS Organisations
Sometimes we share information with NHS organisations that do not directly treat you, for example, the Integrated Care Board (ICB).
This information is normally anonymous and cannot identify you.
In exceptional circumstances, such as legal requirements, court orders or safeguarding concerns, identifiable information may be shared with authorised bodies.
ICB Population Health Planning
Integrated Care Boards use anonymous GP data to understand local health needs and plan services.
This may include information such as:
- age, gender, ethnicity, language preference
- area of residence
- long‑term conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
- cholesterol levels, blood pressure
- medication patterns
This information cannot identify you and does not include GP consultation notes. It helps the NHS plan and improve services for the whole population.
National NHS Services
Some national programmes, such as cervical, breast and bowel cancer screening use information from across the NHS to ensure you are invited at the right time.
You often have the right to opt out of certain national data uses. Please speak to your GP or visit the Your Rights section for more information.
Health Research
Occasionally, we may work with approved researchers. If your GP believes you may be suitable for a study:
- you will be contacted directly
- you will be asked if you wish to participate
- your details will never be shared without your explicit consent
