In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Access to Health Records Act, patients (or their representatives) may request access to their medical records. No information will be released without the patient (or their representatives) consent unless we are legally obliged to do so. Requests are free of charge and under the GDPR and DPA 2018 we have one month to comply with your request. Under the Access to Health Records (access to deceased individuals records) we have 40 calendar days to comply with such requests.

Argyll House Surgery, 78 West Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2QG

The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

• To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
• To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
• When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

Equality and Diversity Statement

At Argyll House we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated, and every individual is treated with respect and fairness. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute to their full potential.

We provide equal opportunities for all, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, or gender reassignment. We strictly adhere to the principles of the UK Equality Act 2010 and take active steps to ensure fair treatment in all aspects of our employment practices.

By promoting diversity and inclusivity, we aim to enhance our creativity, innovation, and success. We believe that a diverse team strengthens our ability to achieve excellence and meet the needs of the community we serve.

If you have any questions about our commitment to equality and diversity or require adjustments during the recruitment process, please feel free to contact the Practice Manager.

Freedom of Information and Disclosure

Information regarding GPs and the practice, as required under relevant legislation, can be made available to the public. All requests for such information must be submitted in writing to the Practice Manager.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) in the UK, public authorities are required to respond to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests within 20 working days from the day after the request is received.

Extensions to the Timeframe:

• If additional time is needed to consider the public interest test, the authority may extend the response period by up to 20 additional working days.
• For environmental information requests governed by the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004, extensions may apply in cases of complexity.

Non-Compliance Procedures: If a public authority fails to meet the response deadline:

1. The requester can submit a request for an internal review to the authority.
2. If the issue remains unresolved, the requester can file a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown below.

However it should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how much time doctors spend working in the practice, and should not be used to form any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any comparison with any other practice.

All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS Services to patients at each practice.

The average pay for GPs working in Argyll House Surgery in the last financial year was £67,000 before tax and National Insurance. This is for one  full time GP.

Infection Control Annual Statement

Argyll House Mission Statement

To provide professional, accessible, high quality, comprehensive healthcare services that inspires confidence in our patients and our community.

Our Vision

We aim to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients in a safe and welcoming environment. Our Doctors and staff are approachable, respectful and patient-cantered

We aim to be at the forefront of modern general practice, offering a wide range of services and facilities.

We aim to use technology smartly to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our administration, patient contact and clinical activity

We will continue to invest in our staff, diversifying and developing our skills and knowledge base to ensure that we have a highly skilled, resilient and adaptable work force to meet the needs of our patients and communities

We aim to support the development through a greater understanding and treatment of disease through proactive engagement with research projects in the future.

We will seek to collaborate and work in partnership to strengthen community links and respond to local, regional and national initiatives

Our Values

We are accountable: 

We ensure we take responsibility for our actions, and are open and transparent to the people who use our service.

We are fair:  

We are consistent in the way we deal with people, both patients and staff, we act courteously, show consideration, compassion and understanding valuing each person as an individual.

We are professional: 

We strive to achieve a high level of medical care for our patients and responsive to medical need both for the individual and for the community as a whole. We maintain our professional learning and follow guidelines where appropriate to do so.

Our success is built upon the personal and professional achievement of everyone who works at Argyll House Practice.

We are innovative: 

We constantly review the service we provide and improve it when and where possible. We use all available resources, including technology to provide the best service we can.

We nurture innovation, lead on learning and development and embrace emerging technologies.

We are caring: 

We will put our patients at the heart of all that we do.

We respect and value everyone for their contribution, we engage with the community and local resources where possible, we celebrate peoples’ differences and provide equality of opportunity for all without discrimination.

Our Commitment to Patient Care Patient-Centered

Approach

Our primary focus is on our patients. We prioritise their needs in every aspect of our practice.

Respect and Dignity

We honor each individual patient, families, carers, and staff recognising their unique aspirations and commitments. We strive to understand their priorities, needs, abilities, and limitations.

Commitment to Quality of Care

We build trust by upholding the highest standards of care, ensuring safety, effectiveness, and an exceptional patient experience in every interaction.

Compassionate Care

Compassion is at the core of our practice. We respond to each individual’s pain, distress, and anxiety with humanity and kindness.

Enhancing Lives

Our mission is to improve health and wellbeing, ensuring positive experiences within the NHS for all individuals.

Valuing Everyone

We optimise our resources to benefit the entire community, ensuring that no one is excluded, discriminated against, or left behind.

Through these principles, we are dedicated to delivering exemplary medical care and fostering a supportive environment for all.

Should a registered patient inform the organisation that they are going to change, or have changed, their address, they are to be instructed to visit the NHS App 

Or complete a form and drop it off when you visit next (You may need to bring two forms of ID)

Download form

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Users of the National Health Service have rights. The following explains what they are. They fall into three main categories.

Legislated Rights

Rights that have been written into law by means of Parliamentary Acts or Bills. (For example, UK GDPR and DPA 2018). As a patient of the NHS you have 7 rights.

• You are entitled to receive health care on the basis of clinical need, regardless of your income.
• You are entitled to be registered with a Medical practice. You are entitled to change your practice at any time. You do not have to give a reason for your decision.
• You are legally entitled to accept or refuse treatment as you see fit. This includes examinations, tests, diagnostic procedures, medication, operations, etc.
• You can refuse to be involved in research trials. If you do not agree to be involved in research trials, you can withdraw at any time.
• You are entitled to equal treatment regardless of race, gender, age or disability.
• You have a right to information on GP practices in your area and the services they provide. All practices must provide an information leaflet.
• You have a right to confidentiality. Personal information about your health is confidential and should only be disclosed to those who need that information to provide you with effective treatment, you can consent to share with other individuals outside of the NHS

Access to your Health Records.

You have a legal entitlement to see a copy of the records held about you. All records stored on computer can be accessed. If you wish to see your records you should apply in to the practice for a Subject Access Request.

Guideline Rights

• You are entitled to have reasonable access to high quality service and facilities.
• You are entitled to information on what is wrong with you and the treatment options available. Ask questions. You should be given truthful, clear answers.
• You are entitled to ask for a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment.
• You can ask to have someone with you (friend, relative, interpreter) at any time. You may find this beneficial, particularly if you are asking questions or need moral support.

Human Rights

It is your right to be treated as a human being by another human being and as they would wish to be treated themselves, i.e. with dignity, politeness, respect and consideration. These may not necessarily be covered legally or even be contained in guidelines, but human rights will come into many of the areas mentioned above and are certainly just as important.

Consent

A doctor, nurse, or anyone else looking after your health, has to have your agreement before they can examine or treat you. This policy applies to both children and adults. Your consent will be sought before any of your information is shared with any individual not connected with your direct health care.

Patient Responsibilities

Patients, too, have certain responsibilities:

• Keeping appointments:  Please try to arrive on time. If you are unable to attend an appointment, please inform the clinic or surgery in good time. Address. If you move house, change address or telephone number, or the postcode is changed, please inform your GP practice or outpatient clinic.
• Treat all healthcare staff in a reasonable, courteous manner.
• Use emergency services in a responsible manner. Please use the out-of-hours services for emergencies only and not for routine care.
• Take care with medicines. Medicines are for one person only and should not be shared. Keep them safely away from children and in the original container. Take any unwanted medicines to a chemist for safe disposal.

• Parking: Our facility features its own car park with a limited number of designated parking spaces conveniently located close to our entrance. If you require any assistance upon arrival, please inform our reception staff, who will be happy to help.
• Building Access: Our reception area is wheelchair-friendly, ensuring ease of access for all. Additionally, we have an internal lift available to assist with access to the first floor.
• Appointment Arrangements: For visitors who prefer or require their appointments to take place on the ground floor, please let us know when booking your appointment.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and your information

The ICO recognises the unprecedented challenges the NHS and other health professionals are facing during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The ICO also recognise that ‘Public bodies may require additional collection and sharing of personal data to protect against serious threats to public health.’

The Government have also taken action in respect of this and on 20th March 2020 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care issued a Notice under Regulation 3(4) of The Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 requiring organisations such as GP Practices to use your information to help GP Practices and other healthcare organisations to respond to and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to look after your healthcare needs during this difficult time, we may urgently need to share your personal information, including medical records, with clinical and non-clinical staff who belong to organisations that are permitted to use your information and need to use it to help deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. This could (amongst other measures) consist of either treating you or a member of your family and enable us and other healthcare organisations to monitor the disease, assess risk and manage the spread of the disease.

Please be assured that we will only share information and health data that is necessary to meet yours and public healthcare needs.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has also stated that these measures are temporary and will expire on 30th September 2020 unless a further extension is required. An extension has now been granted and this has been extended until 30th September 2021. Any further extension will be will be provided in writing and we will communicate the same to you. Please also note that the data protection and electronic communication laws do not stop us from sending public health messages to you, either by phone, text or email as these messages are not direct marketing. It may also be necessary, where the latest technology allows us to do so, to use your information and health data to facilitate digital consultations and diagnoses and we will always do this with your security in mind.

If you are concerned about how your information is being used, please contact our DPO using the contact details provided in the Privacy Notice link below.

The DPA (Data Protection Act) 2018 sets out the framework for data protection law in the UK. It updates and replaces the Data Protection Act 1998, and came into effect on 25 May 2018.

It sits alongside the GDPR, and tailors how the GDPR applies in the UK – for example by providing exemptions. It also sets out separate data protection rules for law enforcement authorities, extends data protection to some other areas such as national security and defence, and sets out the Information Commissioner’s functions and powers.

The GDPR is the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679. It sets out the key principles, rights and obligations for most processing of personal data – but it does not apply to processing for law enforcement purposes, or to areas outside EU law such as national security or defence.

The GDPR came into effect on 25 May 2018. As a European Regulation, it has direct effect in UK law and automatically applies in the UK until we leave the EU (or until the end of any agreed transition period, if we leave with a deal). After this date, it will form part of UK law under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, with some technical changes to make it work effectively in a UK context

Privacy Notice

Children’s Privacy Notice

Your Data Matters to the NHS

In May 2018 the strict rules about how data can and cannot be used were strengthened. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used. You can choose whether your confidential patient information is used for research and planning.

To find out more visit: nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or call 0300 303 5678

There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.

Why do I need a Summary Care Record?

Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.

This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.

Who can see it?

Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.

How do I know if I have one?

Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP

Do I have to have one?

No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. You can use the form at the foot of this page.

More Information

For further information visit the NHS Care records website

Download the opt out form >>>>

The team at Argyll House Surgery are proud to be an accredited Veteran Friendly GP practice and to support our veteran community.

As a Veteran-Friendly GP Practice, we:

• Have a dedicated clinical lead for veteran health, working across the practice to enhance services for our veteran patients.

• Ask all patients, “Have you served in the Armed Forces?” to identify and properly code veteran patients in our system.

• Help veteran patients access specialized health services tailored to their needs.

• Participate in regular training to uphold the commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant and deepen our understanding of the unique healthcare needs of veterans.

If you are a veteran, please let us know about your service so we can ensure your health needs are fully supported.

A study by the University of Chester found that the Veteran-Friendly Accreditation programme, led by the Royal College of General Practitioners in partnership with NHS England, results in improved healthcare for veterans.

To learn more about the Veteran-Friendly Practice Accreditation, visit www.rcgp.org.uk/veterans

The NHS operates a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.

General

Practice365 strives to ensure that its services are accessible to people with disabilities. Practice365 has invested a significant amount of resources to help ensure that its websites are made easier to use and more accessible for people with disabilities, with the strong belief that every person has the right to live with dignity, equality, comfort and independence.

This accessibility statement applies to websites hosted by Practice365.co.uk.

Accessibility on Practice365

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

• change colours, contrast levels and fonts
• zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
• navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
• navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
• listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

• most older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software

Enabling the Accessibility Menu

Disclaimer

Practice365 continues its efforts to constantly improve the accessibility of its site and services in the belief that it is our collective moral obligation to allow seamless, accessible and unhindered use also for those of us with disabilities.

Here For You

If you are experiencing difficulty with any content on Practice365 website, widget, any of its services or require assistance with any part of our site or software, please contact us during normal business hours as detailed below and we will be happy to assist.

Contacting Us

If you wish to report a problem, have any questions or need assistance, please email us at hello@iatropartners.co.uk

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS). If you are based in Northern Ireland, please reefer to Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) instead of the EASS and EHRC.