The Willow Group: about us

The average pay for GPs working in Willow Group in the last financial year (22/23) was £112,382 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 5 full time GPs, 10 part time GPs and 8 locum GP who worked in the practice for more than six months.

Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Willow Group is a provider of healthcare and employer with this as a core principle.

Willow Group recognises its legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998. 

We also have a duty of care for the health and safety of all staff, patients, and visitors by providing a safe and secure environment. All patients and visitors are expected to behave in an acceptable manner so that no-one is in fear of being attacked or abused.

Our policies for Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, and Zero Tolerance are available to be downloaded in our documents library.

Pride in Practice

We are pleased to announce that Willow Group has achieved a Gold Pride in Practice Award from the LGBT Foundation.

The award is a benchmark for excellence in LGBT healthcare and shows that we build inclusivity into every part of our patient journey.

We collect and hold data about you for the purpose of providing safe and effective healthcare. As a result there are some things you need to be aware of:

• Your information may be shared with our partner organisations to audit services and help provide you with better care
• Information sharing is subject to strict agreements on how it is used
• We will only share your information outside of our partner organisations with your consent*
• If you are happy with how we use your information you do not need to do anything
• If you do not want your information to be used for any purpose beyond providing your care, please let us know so that we can code your record appropriately
• You can object to sharing information with other healthcare providers but if this limits your treatment options, we will tell you
• Our guiding principle is that we are holding your information in the strictest confidence
• For more information about who are our partner organisations and how your data is used please see the full privacy notice or ask at one of our sites

*Unless the health and safety of you or others is at risk, the law requires it, or it is it required in order to carry out a statutory function

Your information, what you need to know

This privacy notice explains why we collect information about you, how that information will be used, how we keep it safe and confidential and what your rights are in relation to this.

Why we collect information about you

Health care professionals who provide you with care are required by law to maintain records about your health and any treatment or care you have received.  These records help to provide you with the best possible healthcare and help us to protect your safety.

We collect and hold data for the purpose of providing healthcare services to our patients and running our organisation which includes monitoring the quality of care that we provide. In carrying out this role we will collect information about you which helps us respond to your queries or secure specialist services. We will keep your information in written form and/or in digital form

Our Commitment to Data Privacy and Confidentiality Issues

As a GP practice, all of our GPs, staff and associated practitioners are committed to protecting your privacy and will only process data in accordance with the Data Protection Legislation.  This includes the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679  (GDPR), the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018, the Law Enforcement Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/680) (LED) and any applicable national Laws implementing them as amended from time to time.  The legislation requires us to process personal data only if there is a legitimate basis for doing so and that any processing must be fair and lawful.

In addition, consideration will also be given to all applicable Law concerning privacy, confidentiality, the processing and sharing of personal data including the Human Rights Act 1998, the Health and Social Care Act 2012 as amended by the Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Act 2015, the common law duty of confidentiality and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations.

Data we collect about you

Records which this GP Practice will hold or share about you will include the following:

• Personal Data – means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘data subject’); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

• Special Categories of Personal Data – this term describes personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, and the processing of genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning health or data concerning a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation.

• Confidential Patient Information – this term describes information or data relating to their health and other matters disclosed to another (e.g. patient to clinician) in circumstances where it is reasonable to expect that the information will be held in confidence. Including both information ‘given in confidence’ and ‘that which is owed a duty of confidence’. As described in the Confidentiality: NHS code of Practice: Department of Health guidance on confidentiality 2003.

• Pseudonymised – The process of distinguishing individuals in a dataset by using a unique identifier which does not reveal their ‘real world’ identity.

• Anonymised –  Data in a form that does not identify individuals and where identification through its combination with other data is not likely to take place

• Aggregated – Statistical data about several individuals that has been combined to show general trends or values without identifying individuals within the data.

How we use your information

Improvements in information technology are also making it possible for us to share data with other healthcare organisations for the purpose of providing you, your family and your community with better care.  For example it is possible for healthcare professionals in other services to access your record with your permission when the practice is closed.  This is explained further in the Local Information Sharing at Appendix A.

Whenever you use a health or care service, such as attending Accident & Emergency or using Community Care services, important information about you is collected in a patient record for that service. Collecting this information helps to ensure you get the best possible care and treatment. The information collected about you when you use these services can also be used and provided to other organisations for purposes beyond your individual care, for instance to help with:

• improving the quality and standards of care provided

• research into the development of new treatments

• preventing illness and diseases

• monitoring safety

• planning services

This may only take place when there is a clear legal basis to use this information. All these uses help to provide better health and care for you, your family and future generations. Confidential patient information about your health and care is only used like this where allowed by law.

Most of the time, anonymised data is used for research and planning so that you cannot be identified in which case your confidential patient information isn’t needed.

A full list of details including the legal basis, any Data Processor involvement and the purposes for processing information can be found in Appendix A.

How long do we hold information for?

All records held by the Practice will be kept for the duration specified by national guidance from NHS Digital, Health and Social Care Records Code of Practice [external link]. Once information that we hold has been identified for destruction it will be disposed of in the most appropriate way for the type of information it is. Personal confidential and commercially confidential information will be disposed of by approved and secure confidential waste procedures. We keep a record of retention schedules within our information asset registers, in line with the Records Management Code of Practice for Health and Social Care 2016.

Your right to opt out of data sharing and processing

The NHS Constitution states ‘You have a right to request that your personal and confidential information is not used beyond your own care and treatment and to have your objections considered’. For further information please visit: The NHS Constitution [external link]

Type 1 Opt Out

Type 1 opt outs are recorded locally by your GP practice and your practice will be able to remove your information from being shared with other organisations if it is not for your direct care. If you wish to have a local opt out applied please speak to the receptionist.

National data opt-out

The national data opt-out was introduced on 25 May 2018, enabling patients to opt-out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes, in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in her Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs.

By 2022 all health and care organisations are required to apply national data opt-outs where confidential patient information is used for research and planning purposes. NHS Digital has been applying national data opt-outs since 25 May 2018. Public Health England has been applying national data opt-outs since September 2018.

The national data opt-out replaces the previous ‘type 2’ opt-out, which required NHS Digital not to share a patient’s confidential patient information for purposes beyond their individual care. Any patient that had a type 2 opt-out recorded on or before 11 October 2018 has had it automatically converted to a national data opt-out. Those aged 13 or over were sent a letter giving them more information and a leaflet explaining the national data opt-out.  For more information go to National data opt out programme [external link]

To find out more or to register your choice to opt out, please visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters [external link].

On this web page you will:

• See what is meant by confidential patient information

• Find examples of when confidential patient information is used for individual care and examples of when it is used for purposes beyond individual care

• Find out more about the benefits of sharing data

• Understand more about who uses the data

• Find out how your data is protected

• Be able to access the system to view, set or change your opt-out setting

• Find the contact telephone number if you want to know any more or to set/change your opt-out by phone

• See the situations where the opt-out will not apply

Right of Access to your information (Subject Access Request)

Under Data Protection Legislation everybody has the right have access to, or request a copy of, information we hold that can identify you, this includes your medical record, there are some safeguards regarding what you will have access and you may find information has been redacted or removed for the following reasons;

• Does not cause harm to the patient

• That legal confidentiality obligations for the non-disclosure of third-party information are adhered to

You do not need to give a reason to see your data. And requests can be made verbally or in writing. Although we may ask you to complete a form in order that we can ensure that you have the correct information you require.

Where multiple copies of the same information is requested the surgery may charge a reasonable fee for the extra copies.

You will need to provide proof of identity to receive this information.

If you would like to access your GP record online click here https://www.thewillowgroup.nhs.uk/patient-access/

Change of Details

It is important that you tell the surgery if any of your contact details such as your name or address have changed especially if any of your other contacts details are incorrect. It is important that we are made aware of any changes immediately in order that no information is shared in error.

Mobile telephone number

If you provide us with your mobile phone number,  we may use this to send you text reminders about your appointments or other health screening information. Please let us know if you do not wish to receive text reminders on your mobile.

Email address

Where you have provided us with your email address, with your consent we will use this to send you information relating to your health and the services we provide.  If you do not wish to receive communications by email please let us know.

Notification

Data Protection Legislation requires organisations to register a notification with the Information Commissioner to describe the purposes for which they process personal and sensitive information.

We are registered as a Data Controller and our registration can be viewed online in the public register at:  http://ico.org.uk/what_we_cover/register_of_data_controllers [external link]

Any changes to this notice will be published on our website and in a prominent area at the Practice.

Data Protection Officer

Should you have any data protection questions or concerns, please contact our Data Protection Officer, Judith Jordan at:  hiowicb-hsi.mywillowexperience@nhs.net

What is the right to know?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) gives people a general right of access to information held by or on behalf of public authorities, promoting a culture of openness and accountability across the public sector.  You can request any non personal information that the GP Practice holds, that does not fall under an exemption.  You may not ask for information that is covered by the Data Protection Legislation under FOIA.  However you can request this under a right of access request – see section above ‘Access to your information’.

Right to Complaint

If you have concerns or are unhappy about any of our services, please contact the Practice Manager.

For independent advice about data protection, privacy and data-sharing issues, you can contact:

Patient Experience TeamThe Willow GroupBrune Medical Centre10 Rowner RoadGosport PO13 0EW

email: hiowicb-hsi.mywillowexperience@nhs.net

To get further advice or to report a concern directly to the UK’s independent authority you can do this by making contacting with:

Information Commissioner’s OfficeWycliffe HouseWater LaneWilmslowCheshireSK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Website: https://ico.org.uk/concerns/

The NHS Care Record Guarantee

The NHS Care Record Guarantee for England sets out the rules that govern how patient information is used in the NHS, what control the patient can have over this, the rights individuals have to request copies of their data and how data is protected under Data Protection Legislation.

http://systems.digital.nhs.uk/infogov/links/nhscrg.pdf [external link]

The NHS Constitution

The NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. It sets out the rights patients, the public and staff are entitled to.  These rights cover how patients access health services, the quality of care you’ll receive, the treatments and programs available to you, confidentiality, information and your right to complain if things go wrong.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england [external link]

Appendix A – The Practice will share your information with these organisations where there is a legal basis to do so.

ActivityRationale

CCG

Purpose – Anonymous data is used by the CCG for planning and performance as directed in the practices contract.

Legal Basis – Contractual

Processor – Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG [external link] 

Summary Care Record

Purpose – The NHS in England uses a national electronic record called the Summary Care Record (SCR) to support patient care. It contains key information from your GP record. Your SCR provides authorised healthcare staff with faster, secure access to essential information about you in an emergency or when you need unplanned care, where such information would otherwise be unavailable.

Legal Basis – Direct Care

Please be aware that if you choose to opt-out of SCR, NHS healthcare staff caring for you outside of this surgery may not be aware of your current medications, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had, in order to treat you safely in an emergency. Your records will stay as they are now with information being shared by letter, email, phone. If you wish to opt-out of having an SCR please return a completed opt-out form to the practice.

Processor – NHS England and NHS Digital

Care and Health Information Exchange (CHIE)

Purpose – The Care and Health Information Exchange (CHIE) is a secure system which shares health and social care information from GP surgeries, hospitals, community and mental health, social services and others. For more information please visit https://careandhealthinformationexchange.org.uk/ [external link]

Legal Basis – Direct Care

Processor – CHIE

Research

Purpose – We many share personal confidential or anonymous information with research companies. Where you have opted out of having your identifiable information shared for this purpose your information will be removed.

Legal Basis – consent is required to share confidential patient information for research, unless there is have support under the Health Service (Control of Patient Information Regulations) 2002 (‘section 251 support’) applying via the Confidentiality Advisory Group in England and Wales

Processor – Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR CRN

Individual Funding Requests

Purpose – We may need to process your personal information where we are required to fund specific treatment for you for a particular condition that is not already covered in our contracts.

Legal Basis – The clinical professional who first identifies that you may need the treatment will explain to you the information that is needed to be collected and processed in order to assess your needs and commission your care; they will gain your explicit consent to share this. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time

Data processor – South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit

Safeguarding Adults

Purpose – We will share personal confidential information with the safeguarding team where there is a need to assess and evaluate any safeguarding concerns.

Legal Basis – Because of public Interest issues, e.g. to protect the safety and welfare of vulnerable adults, we will rely on a statutory basis rather than consent to process information for this use.

Data Processor – Southern Health Foundation NHS Trust, Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG

Safeguarding Children

Purpose – We will share children’s personal information where there is a need to assess and evaluate any safeguarding concerns.

Legal Basis – Because of public Interest issues, e.g. to protect the safety and welfare of Safeguarding we will rely on a statutory basis rather than consent to share information for this use.

Data Processor – Southern Health Foundation NHS Trust, Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG

Risk Stratification – Preventative Care

Purpose –  ‘Risk stratification for case finding’ is a process for identifying and managing patients who have or may be at-risk of health conditions (such as diabetes) or who are most likely to need healthcare services (such as people with frailty). Risk stratification tools used in the NHS help determine a person’s risk of suffering a particular condition and enable us to focus on preventing ill health before it develops.

Information about you is collected from a number of sources including NHS Trusts, GP Federations and your GP Practice. A risk score is then arrived at through an analysis of your de-identified information. This can help us identify and offer you additional services to improve your health.

If you do not wish information about you to be included in any risk stratification programmes, please let us know. We can add a code to your records that will stop your information from being used for this purpose. Please be aware that this may limit the ability of healthcare professionals to identify if you have or are at risk of developing certain serious health conditions.

Type of Data – Identifiable/Pseudonymised/Anonymised/Aggregate Data

Legal Basis

GDPR Art. 6(1) (e) and Art.9 (2) (h). The use of identifiable data by CCGs and GPs for risk stratification has been approved by the Secretary of State, through the Confidentiality Advisory Group of the Health Research Authority (approval reference (CAG 7-04)(a)/2013)) and this approval has been extended to the end of September 2020 NHS England Risk Stratification [external link] which gives us a statutory legal basis under Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006 to process data for risk stratification purposes which sets aside the duty of confidentiality. We are committed to conducting risk stratification effectively, in ways that are consistent with the laws that protect your confidentiality.

 Processors – South, Central and West CSU

Public Health

Screening programmes (identifiable)

Notifiable disease information (identiable)

Smoking cessation (anonymous)

Sexual health (anonymous)

Purpose – Personal identifiable and anonymous data is shared.

The NHS provides national screening programmes so that certain diseases can be detected at an early stage. These currently apply to bowel cancer, breast cancer, abdominable aortic aneurysms (AAA), lung healthchecks, NHS healthchecks, and diabetic retinopathy. The law allows us to share your contact information with Public Health England so that you can be invited to the relevant screening programme.

More information can be found at: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/population-screening-programmes-document-collection

or speak to the practice

Legal Basis – Article 6(1)(e); “necessary… in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller’ And Article 9(2)(h) as stated below 

Data Processors – Hampshire County Council (smoking cessation and NHS healthchecks), Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust (Lung Healthcheck Service), Health Intelligence (Diabetic Retinopathy), NHS digital (AAA, bowel, breast, and cervical screening services) 

NHS Trusts

Purpose – Personal information is shared with other secondary care trusts in order to provide you with direct care services. This could be hospitals or community providers for a range of services, including treatment, operations, physio, and community nursing, ambulance service.

Legal Basis – The processing of personal data in the delivery of direct care and for providers’ administrative purposes in this surgery and in support of direct care elsewhere is supported under the following Article 6 and 9 conditions as stated below:

Processors – Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton General Hospital NHS Trust, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, South Central Ambulance NHS Trust, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Solent NHS Trust, Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust

Care Quality Commission

Purpose – The CQC is the regulator for the English Health and Social Care services to ensure that safe care is provided. They will inspect and produce reports back to the GP practice on a regular basis. The Law allows the CQC to access identifiable data.

Legal Basis – Article 6(1)(c) “processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.” And Article 9(2) (h) as stated below

Processors – Care Quality Commission

Payments, Invoice validation

Purpose –  Contract holding GPs in the UK receive payments from their respective governments on a tiered basis. Most of the income is derived from baseline capitation payments made according to the number of patients registered with the practice on quarterly payment days. These amount paid per patient per quarter varies according to the age, sex and other demographic details for each patient. There are also graduated payments made according to the practice’s achievement of certain agreed national quality targets known as the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QUOF), for instance the proportion of diabetic patients who have had an annual review. Practices can also receive payments for participating in agreed national or local enhanced services, for instance opening early in the morning or late at night or at the weekends. Practices can also receive payments for certain national initiatives such as immunisation programs and practices may also receive incomes relating to a variety of non patient related elements such as premises. Finally there are short term initiatives and projects that practices can take part in. Practices or GPs may also receive income for participating in the education of medical students, junior doctors and GPs themselves as well as research. In order to make patient based payments basic and relevant necessary data about you needs to be sent to the various payment services. The release of this data is required by English laws.

Legal Basis – Article 6(1)(c) “processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.” And Article 9(2)(h) ‘as stated below

Data Processors – NHS England, CCG, Public Health, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

Patient Record data base

Purpose – Your medical record will be shared, in order that a data base can be maintained and managed in a secure way

Legal Basis – Article 6(1)(e); “necessary… in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller’ And Article 9(2)(h) as stated below

Processor – EMIS, Docman

iGPR

Purpose – Your medical record will be shared in order that a report can be provided to agencies such as insurance companies or solicitors

Legal Basis – Your consent will be required to share your record for this purpose

Processor – iGPR

OptimiseRx

Purpose – Your anonymous information will be shared in order to optimise your medication within your record. This will enable your GP to provide a more efficient medication regime.

Legal Basis – Article 6(1)(e); “necessary… in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller’ And Article 9(2)(h) as stated below

Processor – FDB

Medicines Management Team

Purpose – your medical record is shared with the medicines management team, in order that your medication can be kept up to date and any changes can be implemented.

Legal Basis – Article 6(1)(e); “necessary… in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller’ And Article 9(2)(h) as stated below

Processor – Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG

Southern Hampshire Primary Care Alliance

GP Extended Access

LIVI

Purpose – Your medical record will be shared with the (name) in order that they can provide direct care services to the patient population. This could be in the form of video consultations, Minor injuries clinics, GP extended access clinics

Legal Basis – Article 6(1)(e); “necessary… in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller’ And Article 9(2)(h) as stated below

Processor – Southern Hampshire Primary Care Alliance

Smoking cessation

Purpose – personal information is shared in order for the smoking cessation service to be provided.

Legal Basis – consented

Processor – Smoke Free Hampshire / Hampshire County Council

Social Prescribers and Health and Wellbeing Coaches

Purpose – personal information is shared in order for the service to be provided.

Legal Basis – consented

Processor – Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

Voluntary services

Purpose – personal information is shared in order for the service to be provided.

Legal Basis – consented

Processor – Gosport Voluntary Action

Mental Health provider

Purpose – Your medical record will be shared with the service in order that they can provide direct care services to the patient population. This could be in the form of video consultations, Minor injuries clinics, GP extended access clinics

Legal Basis – Article 6(1)(e); “necessary… in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller’ And Article 9(2)(h) as stated below

Processor – Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust 

Messaging Services

Purpose – Your contact details are shared messaging service in order to send text or email messages including (but not limited to) appointment reminders, test result notifications, update requests for you medical information and health advice. Some messages we send ask for a response to a question, or a request for pictures. Your replies will normally be copied into your permanent medical record but may also be retained on the messaging system for a period of time. Please see the privacy statements of the individual companies for further information

Legal Basis – Consented

Processor – AccuRx, MyGP from iPlato

Datasyrup

Purpose : Audit of appointments system

Legal Basis: only anonymised or pseudonymised data is shared.

Processor: Datasyrup

Population Health Management

Purpose – Health and care services work together as ‘Integrated Care Systems’ (ICS) and are sharing data in order to: · Understanding the health and care needs of the care system’s population, including health inequalities · Provide support to where it will have the most impact · Identify early actions to keep people well, not only focusing on people in direct contact with services, but looking to join up care across different partners. Type of Data – Identifiable/Pseudonymised/Anonymised/Aggregate Data. NB only organisations that provide your individual care will see your identifiable data.

Legal Basis – Article 6(1)(e); “necessary… in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller’ And Article 9(2)(h) Provision of health and care

Processor to which data is disclosed: Cerner Ltd, Optum Ltd, NECS CSU

Population Health Management also incorporates the use of risk stratification tools as an integral part of the purpose

healthy.io

Purpose – The data is being processed for the purpose of delivery of a programme, sponsored by NHS Digital, to monitor urine for indications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is recommended to be undertaken annually for patients at risk of chronic kidney disease e.g., patients living with diabetes. The programme enables patients to test their kidney function from home. We will share your contact details with Healthy.io to enable them to contact you and send you a test kit. This will help identify patients at risk of kidney disease and help us agree any early interventions that can be put in place for the benefit of your care. Healthy.io will only use your data for the purposes of delivering their service to you. If you do not wish to receive a home test kit from Healthy.io we will continue to manage your care within the Practice. Healthy.io are required to hold data we send them in line with retention periods outlined in the Records Management code of Practice for Health and Social Care. Further information about this is available at: https://lp.healthy.io/minuteful_info/ [external link].

Legal Basis – Article 6(1)(e); “necessary… in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller’ And Article 9(2)(h) Provision of health and care

Processor to which data is disclosed: healthy.io

Klinik

Purpose – all requests for clinical contact (online consultations, appointments, repeat medication, home visits, etc) are entered on the Klinik system. Requests are triaged by a clinician (sometimes with an Artificial Intelligence support). Data is processed for direct care purposes.

Legal Basis – Consented and Article 6(1)(e); “necessary… in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller’ And Article 9(2)(h) Provision of health and care

Processor – Klinik Healthcare Solutions

Reviews of and Changes to our Privacy Notice

We will keep our Privacy Notice under regular review. This notice was last reviewed in February 2020.

Lawful basis for processing:

The processing of personal data in the delivery of direct care and for providers’ administrative purposes in this surgery and in support of direct care elsewhere is supported under the following Article 6 and 9 conditions of the GDPR:

• Article 6(1)(e) ‘…necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority…’; and

• Article 9(2)(h) ‘necessary for the purposes of preventative or occupational medicine for the assessment of the working capacity of the employee, medical diagnosis, the provision of health or social care or treatment or the management of health or social care systems and services…”

NB Links to external websites are not covered by this Privacy Policy. The linked company or organisation will have its own Privacy Policy.

Clinical research helps us better understand our health. Research tells us how we can

• improve our current care with existing treatments and medicines
• develop new and better medications and treatments
• diagnose diseases and conditions more easily, earlier or more accurately
• prevent people from developing diseases and conditions

Most care that people receive in hospitals and general practice is the result of clinical research trials and studies.

This includes experimental medicine trials, which look at the causes of disease, how treatments work and whether they are safe, and trials to test the effectiveness of new treatments to see if they are better than what is currently available.

Willow Group is actively involved with several studies in collaboration with Southern Health. As a patient, you may be asked to take part in one or more of them. There is not requirement for you to do so. Whether you take part or not, the care you receive from us will not be affected.

More of what we do can be found on the Academy of Research and Improvement.

Some of the studies we are currently working with include:

MARC

Memory Assessment and Research Centre

Conducting research into memory disorders including Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimers Disease and Lewy Body Dementia with the aim to better prevent, diagnose and treat these diseases.

Further information at www.marctrials.org.

GLAD

Genetic Links to Anxiety & Depression

The GLAD Study is a project set up to explore risk factores in individuals who have experiences depression and/or anxiety, including those with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, OCD, or related disorders, at any time in their lives. It aims to better understand depression and anxiety in order to find and develop more effective treatments.

Further information at www.gladstudy.org.uk.

DaRe2THINK

This is a project to test new ways of running clinical trials. The first trial targets an important health concern: aiming to improve the health outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), by reducing the risk of stroke, blood clots and potentially cognitive decline and vascular dementia.

Further information at www.birmingham.ac.uk/d2t.

We are an approved training practice for Foundation doctors, medical students and GP registrars. Dr Madeleine Taylor and Dr Zeb Mebrahtu are accredited GP trainers who have undertaken specialist training through Wessex Deanery and can supervise FY1 and FY2 (foundation) doctors who have some hospital experience but spend several months in primary care for training. The other clinicians in the practice will also supervise these trainees in an informal manner.

Dr Taylor, Dr Mebrahtu, and Dr Rebecca Paterson supervise, train and work closely with GP registrars who have completed hospital training and decided to specialise as GPs. These doctors will often need to record consultations as part of their training to become fully qualified GPs but as patients you will always be asked for consent first. They often bring a wealth of experience to the practice and we can have several with us at a time.

Dr Taylor also supervises the practice physiotherapists and Dr Mebrahtu provides teaching for the senior nurses and pharmacists.

The medical students tend to be with us for a few weeks and work closely with our GPs, often observing or assisting during consultations. Second and third year student nurses are with us for periods of six to eight weeks. They observe or assist with practice nurse consultations and eventually run their own clinics.

When you register with us and give us your telephone number and email address (or whenever you wish to update your details), you are giving us permission to contact you for medical reasons, when you have a review due, or regarding an appointment you may have, etc. When sending or leaving messages, we will just say that we are trying to contact you so you may call us back at a more convenient time. We may send a text message to your mobile number if we are unable to get hold of you or leave a message. We may also pass on your contact details on to other NHS or NHS-affiliated services when referring you in order for them to make contact you. This is the minimum level of contact we must have in order to provide medical services to you.

If you have given us your email address, we will try to send your letters there instead of by post. They will be sent securely. You will be sent a message to say a letter is being held securely for you and will provide instructions on how you can collect it.

We may also contact you asking for your feedback on our services using questionnaires or surveys.

Patient Mailings

From time to time we need to send a message to lots of patients, for example during the ‘flu season. Sending mailings to large numbers of people is always very costly in both time and resources as we have to produce the lists of patients, print letters, fill envelopes and pay for postage. It doesn’t sound much until you have to do this for 20,000 letters!

To save time and money, we will try to contact you via text message or email in the first instance, then by telephone. If we are unable to contact you via these methods, we will send a letter. To help us manage large scale letter mailings, we may use a third party. The company used will have achieved compliance with all the requirements set out by the Department of Health regarding using/keeping/deleting data sent to it.

Information we send to the company will be encrypted and consists of the letter we want to send together with a list of names and addresses we want that letter to go to. No other information is given to the company. The company does not share the information with anyone else and deletes the data after 28 days.

If you have any questions, please ask to speak to a member of the Management Team.