Data Matters

Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.

How your data is used

Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses is collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital.  It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.

Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential patient information.

You have a choice

You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can choose to opt out securely online or through a telephone service. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.

Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?

No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.

What do you need to do?

If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.

To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or to make/change your opt-out choice visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters

 

 

CCTV Privacy Notice: Desford Medical Centre

  1. Why we use CCTV

We operate Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at Desford Medical Centre to ensure the safety of our patients, staff, and visitors. Our primary goals are:

  • To prevent and detect crime or anti-social behaviour.
  • To protect the practice premises and assets.
  • To ensure the personal safety of staff and visitors.
  • To support the management of clinical and non-clinical incidents.
  1. The Legal Basis for Processing

Under data protection law, we process this information because it is in our legitimate interests to maintain a safe environment. In some cases, it may also be necessary for the public interest or to comply with a legal obligation (e.g., providing evidence to the police).

  1. What data do we collect?

The system captures images of individuals entering the staff car park (not patient car park). CCTV is never installed in private consultation rooms or restrooms.

  1. Who can see the footage?

Access to recorded images is strictly limited to authorized personnel (typically the Practice Manager or Partners). We will only share footage with third parties if:

  • There is a legal requirement (e.g., a police investigation).
  • It is necessary for insurance claims or legal proceedings.
  • A formal “Subject Access Request” is made by an individual appearing in the footage.
  1. How long do we keep it?

Images are usually retained for 28 days. After this period, the footage is automatically overwritten unless it is required for an ongoing investigation or legal matter.

  1. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data (images) captured by our CCTV.
  • Object: Challenge our use of CCTV if you believe it is not being used for the stated purposes.
  • Erasure: Request that your data be deleted (though this may be refused if we have a legal reason to keep it).
  1. Contact Information

If you have any questions about our use of CCTV or wish to exercise your rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO):

 

 

Desford Medical Centre Privacy Notice: Call Recording

This notice explains how Desford Medical Centre collects, uses, and protects information obtained through the recording of telephone calls.

  1. Why do we record calls?

To ensure we provide the highest quality of care and maintain professional standards, all incoming and outgoing calls are recorded. These recordings are used for the following purposes:

  • Patient Safety & Clinical Accuracy: To ensure that instructions, symptoms, and medical advice discussed over the phone are accurately documented.
  • Staff Training: To help our team develop their communication skills and improve the patient experience.
  • Quality Assurance: To monitor our performance and ensure we are meeting healthcare regulations and internal standards.
  • Dispute Resolution: To provide an objective record in the event of a complaint or a misunderstanding regarding a conversation.
  1. What information is collected?

When a call is recorded, we capture:

  • The audio of the entire conversation.
  • The phone numbers of both the caller and the receiver.
  • The time, date, and duration of the call.
  1. Legal Basis for Processing

Under the UK GDPR, we process this data under the following legal bases:

  • Article 6(1)(e): Processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority (providing NHS healthcare).
  • Article 9(2)(h): Processing is necessary for the purposes of preventive or occupational medicine, medical diagnosis, and the provision of health or social care.

 

  1. How is your data protected?

We take the security of your personal and medical information seriously.

  • Strict Access: Access to recordings is restricted to authorized personnel (such as Practice Managers or Clinical Leads) and only when there is a specific, legitimate reason to listen.
  • Retention Period: Recordings are kept for 3 years after which they are permanently deleted, unless they are required for an ongoing legal or clinical investigation.
  1. Your Rights

Under data protection laws, you have the right to:

  1. Request a Copy: You can request a transcript or audio file of your call via a Subject Access Request (SAR).
  2. Object to Recording: If you do not wish for a call to be recorded, please inform the staff member at the beginning of the conversation. In some cases, we may offer an alternative communication method (such as an in-person visit or written correspondence).
  1. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this notice or how we handle your data, please contact our Data Protection Officer:

Additional Information