Access to Records
Using the NHS App on your phone or tablet or the NHS site on a computer you can view your medical records
The system allows you to view your medical record over the internet. It allows you to easily and quickly view the electronic medical information held about you by your GP Practice.
The information is presented to you in a format that is easy to navigate and offers you links to resources such as patient information leaflets about diseases, tests, investigations, support groups and medications etc.
Please click here to read more about this and to opt out of having access.
Chaperones
You may request a chaperone for any procedure, test or examination, please speak to reception or your clinician.
Complaints
We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.
However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.
To pursue a complaint please email the Practice Manager (HHCdata.charleshickscentre@nhs.net) or call the surgery and ask to speak to the practice manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately. The Hicks Group Complaints procedure can be seen below.
If you wish to make a complaint about the Community Matron or Social Prescribing services, which are provided by Huntingdon PCN, please click to view their dedicated complaints procedure.
Confidentiality & Medical Records
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.
How we use your medical records
- This practice handles medical records in line with laws on data protection and confidentiality.
- We share medical records with those who are involved in providing you with care and treatment.
- In some circumstances we will also share medical records for medical research, for example, to find out more about why people get ill.
- We share information when the law requires us to do so, for example, to prevent infectious diseases from spreading, or to check the care being provided to you is safe.
- You have the right to request a copy of your medical record.
- You have the right to object to your identifiable information being used for medical research and to plan health services.
- You have the right to request that any mistakes in your medical record are corrected.
For further detail of how we use your information within healthcare please find below the practice privacy notice.
Hicks Group Supplementary Privacy Notice for Covid-19
Hicks Group Childrens Privacy Notice
For your information please note the following:
CQC
The CQC inspection carried out on 17th May, is now available for you to view. We are very pleased with our overall rating of “GOOD” in all areas. Please click on the link below to see the report.
Data Choices
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
Download a copy of the patient leaflet
Freedom of Information
Information about the General Practitioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.
General Practice Data for Planning and Research
How the NHS and care services use your information.
From 1st July 2021, the NHS will change how it share shares your GP medical record. The General Practice Data for Planning and Research data extract by NHS Digital from GP practices across England will help the NHS to improve health and care services for everyone by collecting patient data and holding it in a central national database.
This is an upgrade to an existing similar process called GPES – General Practice Extract Service. The new data collection will be more efficient, effective and much more frequent.
For example, patient data held in this new data base can help the NHS to:
- Monitor the long-term safety and effectiveness of treatments
- Plan how to deliver better health and care services
- Prevent the spread of infectious diseases
- Identify new treatments and medicines through health research
The national data opt-out is a service that allows patients to opt out of their confidential patient information being used for research and planning. There is much more information about this process here.
You have a choice about whether you want your confidential patient information to be used in this way. If you are happy with this use of information you do not need to do anything. If you do choose to opt out your confidential patient information will still be used to support your individual care. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.
GP Net Earnings
Huntingdon Primary Care Network (PCN)
The Hicks Group Practice is part of the Huntingdon Primary Care Network (PCN).
A PCN is a group of practices who work together to focus on local patient care. They’ve been around since 2019 and 99 per cent of practices across England now work as part of one.
With increased demand and a shortage of clinical staff, practices find they can provide greater, more personalised care for patients when they can work together on certain services or issues.
Infection Control Statement 2023
Here at the Hicks Group Practice, we aim to keep our practice clean, tidy and offer a safe environment to our patients and staff.
If you have any concerns about cleanliness or infection control, please report these to any member of staff.
Our staff follow our Infection Control Policy, this ensures the care we deliver, and the equipment we use is safe.
The additional measures we take to ensure we maintain the highest standards:
- We use any comments raised, discuss these, and identify and action improvements going forward.
- Carry out an annual infection control audit, to make sure our infection control procedures are working.
- Provide annual staff updates and training on cleanliness and infection control.
- Review our policies and procedures to make sure they are adequate and meet national guidance.
- We use disposable items such as modesty curtains and we adhere to a risk assessed policy for changing these, to minimise risk of infection.
- Make Alcohol Hand Rub Gel available throughout the building.
Other Practice Policies
Practice polices are available on request according to the Freedom of Information Act. See link below for information relating to this.
Prescribing Policy for Patients Abroad
This policy outlines the procedure for patients travelling abroad for short and long periods of time.
NHS Policy
By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK. In addition GPs are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.
The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should the find an alternative supply of that medication.
Patients residing abroad for a period of more than 3 months should be removed from the registered patient list.
Hicks Group Practice Surgery Policy
Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months
For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months, we will provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes…) for the period while the patient is away where it is safe to do so. Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns. 1 months supply only will be issued for drugs normally available over the counter, such as paracetamol.
Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months
If you are leaving the country for more than 3 months will can only prescribe sufficient medication to enable you to make alternative arrangements at your destination (up to 3 months supply where safe to do so).
You
This policy outlines the procedure for patients travelling abroad for short and long periods of time.
NHS Policy
By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK. In addition GPs are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.
The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should the find an alternative supply of that medication.
Patients residing abroad for a period of more than 3 months should be removed from the registered patient list.
Hicks Group Practice Surgery Policy
Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months
For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months, we will provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes…) for the period while the patient is away where it is safe to do so. Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns. 1 months supply only will be issued for drugs normally available over the counter, such as paracetamol.
Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months
If you are leaving the country for more than 3 months will can only prescribe sufficient medication to enable you to make alternative arrangements at your destination (up to 3 months supply where safe to do so).
You will also be removed from our patient list. We will be pleased to re-register patients on their return to residence in the UK and can reassure patients that their electronic notes are kept on file for reference on your return.
Patients and relatives should not seek medication for themselves from the UK while they are abroad as this constitutes NHS fraud.
Useful NHS facts for travel abroad
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/healthcare-when-travelling-abroad/
https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/medicines/can-i-take-my-medicine-abroad/
Privacy Notice – Job Applicants
Privacy notice (GDPR Information)
As data controllers, GPs have fair processing responsibilities under the Data Protection Act and GDPR law 2018. This means ensuring that your personal confidential data (PCD) is handled in ways that are safe, transparent and what you would reasonably expect.
We need to hold personal information about you on our computer system and in paper records to help us to look after your health needs, and your doctor is responsible for their accuracy and safe keeping. Please help to keep your record up to date by informing us of any changes to your circumstances.
Doctors and staff in the practice have access to your medical records to enable them to do their jobs. From time to time information may be shared with others involved in your care if it is necessary. Anyone with access to your record is properly trained in confidentiality issues and is governed by both a legal and contractual duty to keep your details private.
All information about you is held securely and appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent accidental loss.
In some circumstances we may be required by law to release your details to statutory or other official bodies, for example if a court order is presented, or in the case of public health issues. In other circumstances you may be required to give written consent before information is released – such as for medical reports for insurance, solicitors etc.
To ensure your privacy, we will not disclose information over the telephone or fax unless we are sure that we are talking to you. Information will not be disclosed to family, friends, or spouses unless we have prior written consent, and we do not leave messages with others.
General Practice Data
The Hicks Group is one of many organisations working in the health and care system to improve care for patients and the public.
Whenever you use a health or care service, such as attending Accident & Emergency or using Community Care services, important information about you is collected in a patient record for that service. Collecting this information helps to ensure you get the best possible care and treatment. With your consent the information is shared between services to ensure a safe and effective service.
GDPR Childrens Privacy Notice Young Children Apr 22
Summary Care Record
Why do I need a Summary Care Record?
All patients registered with a GP have a Summary Care Record, unless they have chosen not to have one. The information held in your Summary Care Record gives health and care professionals, away from your usual GP practice, access to information to provide you with safer care, reduce the risk of prescribing errors and improve your patient experience.
Your Summary Care Record contains basic information about allergies and medications and any reactions that you have had to medication in the past.
Some patients, including many with long term health conditions, have previously agreed to have Additional Information shared as part of their Summary Care Record. This includes information about significant medical history (past and present), reasons for medications, care plan information and immunisations.
During the coronavirus pandemic period, your Summary Care Record will automatically have Additional Information included from your GP record unless you have previously told the NHS that you did not want this information to be shared.
There will also be a temporary change to include COVID-19 specific codes in relation to suspected, confirmed, Shielded Patient List and other COVID-19 related information within the Additional Information.
By including this Additional Information in your SCR, health and care staff can give you better care if you need health care away from your usual GP practice:
- in an emergency
- when you’re on holiday
- when your surgery is closed
- at out-patient clinics
- when you visit a pharmacy
Who can see it?
Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.
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 or email it to us. You can use the form below
Violence Policy
The NHS operate 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.
The following are example of when you may be issued with a first and final warning or removed from our patient list dependent on the severity of the incident.
- Violence.
- Excessive noise eg recurrent loud or intrusive conversation or shouting.
- Threatening or abusive language involving swearing or offensive remarks.
- Racial or sexual remarks.
- Aggressive, forceful tone and/or language that upsets staff.
- Malicious allegations relating to members of staff, other patients or visitors.
- Offensive gestures or behaviours.
- Abusing alcohol or drugs on practice premises.
- Drug dealing on practice premises.
- Wilful damage to practice property.
- Threats or threatening behaviour.
- Theft.
This list is not exhaustive and there may be other occasions where we have cause to issue a warning or remove you from our patient list.
We trust this policy is clear and supports a mutually respectful environment for patients and staff.