GP websites: A report on COVID-19 data sharing privacy notice
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Our Healthier South East London Integrated Care System (OHSEL ICS) are establishing COVID-19 specific data sharing for GP practices across South East London which would allow the processing of Confidential Patient Information (CPI), to ensure that healthcare professionals work together more effectively, make better use of the information they hold, and better support the COVID-19 situation and response.
To ensure service users are aware of how their personal data is being shared, the OHSEL privacy notice link should be displayed on GP practice websites. This is the link you should see on your GP’s website: https://www.ourhealthiersel.nhs.uk/privacy-notice.htm
In November 2020, we carried out an audit to check how many of the 33 GP practices in Greenwich had this privacy notice displayed on their website. We wanted to find out if:
- The OHSEL privacy notice is displayed on the website
- If there was any other privacy notice/data sharing policy on the website
- How easy it is to find the above
As stated by the Information Commissioner’s Office service users have the right to be informed about the collection and use of their personal data. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), transparency is a key requirement. Privacy notices facilitate organisations to comply with other aspects of the GDPR and build trust with service users.
On the 25th November 2020, we shared the findings of our audit with the South East London Clinical Commissioning Group (Greenwich). We are yet to receive a response.
In the download section of this report, you can see a table of the 33 GP practices in Greenwich and which privacy notice we could find at their sites as of Thursday 10 December 2020.
Downloads
If you require any of the information in this article in a different language or format, please contact us on 020 8301 8340 or email info@healthwatchgreenwich.co.uk
