GDPR
Sandwell LMC recently held an Open Meeting where the main topic was GDPR. This session was led by Paul Couldrey (Data Protection Officer (DPO) for Sandwell practices as appointed by Sandwell & West Birmingham CCG).
If you were able to attend this meeting, we hope found this to be an informative session. Your feedback on the event would be valued, and we would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to click here to complete a very short online survey which will also help shape future sessions. If you were unable to attend, you can access the notes here. The main points from the session are:
Breaches
Any breaches of data that could be subject to complaint e.g. wrong prescription given, or incorrect address on a letter should be reported and the DPO will make an assessment. If the breach is considered minor it will be noted. If the breach is considered serious, the DPO will advise the practice what to do.
Charges
From 25th May 2018, subject access requests are to be provided free of charge. Whilst the law states that charges may be applied for ‘excessive requests’ there is currently no definition of excessive. It is likely that the ICO may decide in favour of the patient rather than the Doctor regardless of how many times a request is made and therefore it is best not to refuse to provide information until the definition has been clarified. The BMA is working on this issue.
Updated GDPR Guidance from the BMA
This link takes you to updated guidance on the BMA website (the new section is under FAQs).
Contacts
For assistance with GDPR matters please contact:
Paul Couldrey (DPO) on paul.couldrey@nhs.net / 07525 623939
Dr. Basil Andreou (Sandwell LMC Medical Secretary) on basil.andreou@nhs.net / 07736 28670
Other News
GP Forward View 2 Years on – GPC Update to LMCs
Today the GPC published a report looking at the progress of the GPFV since its publication in April 2016.
Although there are some positive changes, it is clear that it in the important areas that would really make a difference to general practice the GPFV is failing and doesn’t go far enough, fast enough.
Crucially, investment is far below our target of 11% of the NHS budget, GP workforce is falling, practices continue to close and many practices report complex and bureaucratic processes to actually access the funding and support set out in the GPFV. The support provided to general practice needs a wholesale review, as GPC outlined in Saving General Practice, and the government needs to put general practice at the centre when establishing a long-term funding settlement for the NHS.