Requests for personal information are made under the data protection legislation and under the freedom of information legislation for information about the NHS services provided by the practice.
Requests should be passed to Mrs P Boylan for personal information or for information about the practice that is not included in the practice information leaflet.
What is Personal Information? – Personal information is any information that allows a person to be identified. This includes information where the person is not named, but a cross-reference to other information held by the practice would allow identification.
Data protection legislation allows individuals to request access to their personal information. Those eligible to request access include:
If a request concerns information about a deceased person, those eligible to request access include:
If the information requested includes information about third parties, it can be disclosed if the third party gives consent or is a health professional involved in the care of the patient.
The request
All requests must be made in writing and describe the type of information required with dates, if possible, and include sufficient information to ensure correct identification (name, address, date of birth, for example). You must check that the person asking for information has the right to do so and, if necessary, ask for proof of identity.
We will provide the requested information within one month of receiving the request or confirming the individual’s identity.
The information
We will usually provide the information requested in electronic form using secure means unless the individual asks for the information in paper format or otherwise agrees. The individual may also come to the practice to view the original version under supervision and on practice premises.
We will provide the information in a way that can be understood by the individual making the requests and may need to provide an explanation to accompany dental clinical notes.
Unfounded or excessive requests
Where requests are manifestly unfounded or excessive (particularly if they are repetitive), we can:
If we refuse to respond to a request, we will explain the reasons and inform the individual of their right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office and to a judicial remedy.
Freedom of information legislation allows anyone to ask for information about the provision of NHS services. The available information is described fully in the practice guide to information available under FOIA and the model publication scheme. If the requested information is part of a larger document, we will disclose only the relevant part.
A freedom of information request cannot include clinical records or financial records.
The request
The request must be made in writing and should describe the information that they want and include dates, if possible. The individual making the request does not have to give a reason.
The charges for information provided under a freedom of information request are included in the practice guide and the model publication scheme.
We will provide Information within 20 working days of receiving the request or confirmation of identity or, if applicable, from the receipt of the fee.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland only: it may be possible to extend this timescale if we need more information about the request or are taking legal advice on whether an exemption applies. We must inform the person making the request if we need to extend the 20-working-day deadline.
The information
Most of the information covered by a freedom of information request is available in the practice information leaflet or on the practice website. Requests for other information should be referred to Mrs P Boylan. If we do not hold the information requested, we will inform the individual within the 20-working-day time limit.
We will provide information in a way that is convenient for the person who requested it, which may be in writing, by allowing the applicant to read it on the premises or, if the information is held electronically, in a useable electronic format.
We are not required to respond to
In either situation, you should seek advice from Mrs P Boylan.