Permission and privacy

Your doctor and other health professionals caring for you keep records about your health and any treatment and care you receive. These help ensure you receive the best possible care from us. They may be written down (manual records) or held on computer.

Your information

All information in our records will be kept confidential in line with the Data Protection Act and other regulations and personal information will not be given to anyone else without your permission.

If you would like copies of your medical notes, you need to fill in a request form. These forms are available from the hospital’s Records Department and are also on the Trust’s website. A charge will be made for this service.

While you are in hospital you may want to claim sickness or injury benefits from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Medical certificates are available from the Ward Sister. The first certificate should be sent to your local Social Security office within six days of your admission to hospital.

Permission 

All patients/clients should be given enough information about their medical condition, proposed treatments, possible alternatives and any substantial risks to allow them to make a balanced judgement as to whether to give or withhold permission for treatment.

One of the basic principles of health care is that patients/clients have the right to give or withhold consent before being examined or treated. While this is a general principle, there are circumstances that justify examination or treatment without permission. Wherever possible staff will respect patient/client wishes at all times.

The medical and nursing staff will give you as much information as possible about your medical condition and treatment. Please ask if you are unsure about anything.