New Data Protection Regulations – May 2018 (GDPR)

Under the new data protection regulations introduced from 25th May 2018, we will continue to contact patients via text messages regarding the delivery of care if they have provided consent to do so.

If practices are sending messages about recommended treatment for the management of a specific health issue, then this is defined as providing appropriate care for patients, not marketing purposes.

If you would like ot opt out of any future contact via text messaging, then please complete the form and indicate in the marked section.

• Receive treatment from a general practitioner.
• Receive information on health services.
• Have your treatment explained to you.
• Refuse to be treated in front of students or to be involved in medical trials.
• Have a relative or friend with you.
• Have access to an interpreter or signer.
• Confidentiality at all times.
• Have access to emergency medical care.
• Complain without discrimination.
• Have access to contraceptive and maternity services.
• Receive treatment regardless of your race, gender, age, social class, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition.

Your Responsibilities

You Can Help Yourself and Health Care Staff by Doing the Following:

• Be on time for your appointments.
• Tell the Surgery or clinic if you cannot keep an appointment.
• Tell your GP, or hospital you are attending, if you move home or change your telephone number.
• Use emergency services responsibly.
• Treat health care staff politely.
• Pass on your comments to health care staff.
• Take care with medicines, do not use medicines which are out of date – your Pharmacist can safely dispose of these for you.

You have the right to be registered with a GP. Ask your preferred Surgery if you can be registered on their list.

To change GP, ask to be registered at the Surgery you want to join. Your health records will be transferred to your new GP.  You do not need to tell your current GP, but it is helpful if you do.

A GP can remove you from the Practice list at any time and does not have to give a reason. This is rare and usually only happens if a patient has been abusive or violent, or if you have moved outside the Practice area. Your GP may also remove you from the practice list if you often miss appointments. They will warn you before they do this.

You can get a list of GP’s in your area from NHS Lothian Primary Care Organisation, Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh  EH1 3EG.  Telephone 0131 537 8423