We look forward to meeting you in the Scottish Infected Blood Psychology Service, whether it is by telephone, videocalling, or in person. We have put together this information so that you have an understanding of how we use your information when you come to psychology appointments with us.
As the service is administratively based in Edinburgh, please be aware that information about you and our discussions will be held on NHS Lothian systems. We normally write handwritten notes at each session, which are then scanned into the secure patient information system, called TRAK. Once the notes are scanned, the paper copies are destroyed. This system will also contain information about you such as your name, telephone number, address, and the dates and times of your appointments, so that we have a record of who is coming to the service. Please be aware that access to these clinical records is only available to clinicians on a “need to know” basis. Staff can be disciplined or even dismissed for accessing patient data inappropriately, i.e., accessing a friend’s data. For further information on how data is processed within NHS Lothian systems, please see: https://www.nhslothian.scot/YourRights/DataProtection/Pages/default.aspx.
We also collect some information outside of TRAK so that we can evaluate the service on an ongoing basis. For instance, we may collect information related to: your main area of concern, number of sessions attended, your health board area, scores on questionnaires, and any feedback you give us. This information will be stored on password-protected NHS Lothian computers. We collect this information in order to help us monitor demand for the service and to ensure it is as effective, efficient, and easy-to-access as possible. This helps us improve the service and also to justify to Scottish Government that ongoing funding is needed. However, we will not use anyone’s name or identifying details (address or date of birth, for instance) if we report this information to anyone else. We will only provide summaries of this information.
In addition, we normally write a letter to your GP following our first and last appointments so that they are aware that you are being seen by our service, and so that they have some idea of what we have discussed. If there is any information you would like us to withhold from that letter, please let us know at the first appointment. We do not have to write to your GP if you do not want us to; please let us know this at your first session.
It is good practice for psychologists to discuss their cases with supervisors, or others within their team (the NHS Lothian Clinical Health Psychology team), so that they can make sure they receive any necessary advice on how help to help you. We normally also write to your GP before and after therapy, as above. Otherwise, psychologists, like all NHS staff, are bound to strict confidentiality rules. This means that we cannot reveal your names, addresses, or other personally identifiable details outside of the NHS, unless you give us permission or you ask us to. The only exception to this is if we believe there is a risk of significant harm to you or someone else. In this case, we may have to tell someone so that the appropriate support is given. We will try to discuss this with you before passing on this information.
If you have any comments or concerns about the above, please let us know at your first appointment, or by telephone in advance of the appointment. We will be happy to discuss this with you.