Noticeboard

GP Shortage & Change to Routine Appointments
At present the practice has a shortage of GPs and while we are trying to address this we would appreciate your patience.

SPIRE (Scottish Primary Care Information Resource)
The way information from GP patient records is used to help plan health and care services in Scotland is improving – to find out more about what this means for you, visit spire.scot or call NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88.

Wasted Medicines
Wasted medicines cost NHS Forth Valley approximately £1.2 million every year. THINK before you order repeat medicines; CHECK what medicine you already have; ORDER only what you need.

MJOG
To benefit from this new automated text messaging service please provide us with your mobile telephone number.

Missed Appointments
If you can't attend an appointment PLEASE CANCEL IT.

Patient Participation Group/Suggestions
Do you have any ideas or suggestions? If so, please contact reception or click on Contact Details above and follow the link.

Internet Appointments
Contact reception for details. Repeat prescriptions can be ordered via this service.

Order Repeat Prescriptions Online
Order via Internet Appointments. 

Telephone Numbers
Keep your contact details up to date by notifying the practice of any change of telephone numbers.

Health Records

Health records contain information about your health and any care or treatment you have received. Your health records may contain:

  • test and scan results
  • x-rays
  • doctors notes
  • letters to and from NHS staff

It is important that your records are kept up to date. You should tell NHS staff when your personal information changes or if you are going to be out of the UK for a long time.

How health records are stored

Different parts of the NHS hold records. For example, your GP practice and any hospital you have been to may hold records about you. The NHS has guidelines about how long it should keep health records, after which they can be destroyed. You should contact your GP practice manager or hospital health records manager if you would like more information about how your records are stored.

Emergency Care Summary

Most patients in Scotland now have an Emergency Care Summary containing basic information about your health in case of an emergency. NHS staff can also use your Emergency Care Summary if your GP refers you to an outpatient clinic or for admission to hospital to check your details. Before any member of staff looks at your Emergency Care Summary, they must get your consent. If you are too unwell to give consent, they may need to read your Emergency Care Summary without your agreement in order to give you the best possible care.

Specialist Health Records

Patients with particular needs or living with long-term conditions may also have a Key Information Summary containing information that NHS staff should know. The Key Information Summary might contain:

  • an emergency contact
  • information about a patient's condition
  • what treatment the patient is having

If you need a Key Information Summary, your GP will discuss with you what information should be included.

Accessing your Health Records

You have a right to get a copy of your health records.

How to see your records

To see your records you will have to apply to the organisation that is responsible for them, for example:

  • ​your GP practice manager
  • your dental surgery manager
  • the records manager at your hospital

You do not need to give a reason for wanting to see your health records. When writing, you should say if you:

  • ​would like a copy of all or just part of your records
  • would like to get your records in a format that meets your needs

You may also need to fill in an application form and give proof of your identity.

Who can apply?

You can usually apply if you are able to understand what is involved in asking to see your records. Someone else can apply to see your records if you:

  • agree to this
  • cannot make decisions for yourself and someone has been appointed to act on your behalf

Young people

Someone with responsibility for you can apply to see your records if any of the following apply:

  • you are over 12 and you agree to this
  • you do not understand what is involved

If you are under 12, your parent or guardian must apply to see your records on your behalf.

How much does it cost to view or get copies of your records?

​It is free to:

  • request the first copy
  • if you request additional copies, you will be told if an admin fee will apply.

If you make the request by email or online, unless otherwise requested by you, the information will be provided in a similar secure format.

How long will it take

You will receive your records within 30 days of making an application and paying the admin fee if applicable.

Unhappy with your application

If you are unhappy with how your application has been dealt with, you should ask to speak to the person you sent your request to. If you are still unhappy, you have a right to make a complaint. Find out about giving feedback and making complaints about how your application has been dealt with.

Discretion

Some information on your records may be kept from you. NHS staff do not have to tell you if this has happened. You will not be able to see information that could:

  • cause serious harm to your own or someone else's physical or mental health
  • identify another person (except NHS staff who have treated you), unless that person gives permission

Incorrect Information

If you think information in your records is incorrect, you should first talk to staff providing your care who will then decide the best course of action. If they decide the information is incorrect:

  • a line will be put through it so that people can still read it but can see that it has been corrected
  • a note will be attached to your records explaining why this has been done

If they decide the information is correct:

  • your records will not be changed
  • a note can be attached to your records explaining why you think the information is incorrect

Removal of Information

Information can only be removed from your records if:

  • a court orders it
  • the conditions for 'the right to be forgotten' apply

NHS staff need your full records to:

  • understand earlier decisions made about your care
  • comply with legal and professional obligations

Compensation

You can claim compensation if you suffer physical, psychiatric, or financial damage because:

  • information in your records is inaccurate
  • your information is accidentally lost, damaged or destroyed, or disclosed without permission

Find out more about clinical negligence and your right to feedback and complain about your care.

Deceased Records

The law allows you to see records of a patient that has died as long as they were made after 1st November 1991. Records are usually only kept for three years after death.

Who can access deceased records?

You can only see that person’s records if you are their personal representative (eg most parents/guardians of a minor or a person with power of attorney for health care for a patient), administrator or executor.

You will not be able to see the records of someone who made it clear that they didn’t want other people to see their records after their death.

Accessing Deceased Records

Before you get access to these records, you may be asked for:

  • proof of your identity
  • proof of your relationship to the person who has died

Viewing Deceased Records

You will not be able to see information that could:

  • cause serious harm to your or someone else's physical or mental health
  • identify another person (except members of NHS staff who have treated the patient), unless that person gives their permission

If you have a claim as a result of that person’s death, you can only see information that is relevant to the claim.

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