Confidentiality and security

Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential and secure.

How we keep your records confidential and secure

You may be receiving care from other people as well as the NHS (like social services).

• We may need to share some information about you so we can all work together for your benefit.
• We will only ever use or pass on information about you if others involved in your care have a genuine need for it.  
• When we pass on any information we will ensure it is kept confidential and secure.

We will not disclose your information to third parties without your permission unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as when the health or safety of others is at risk or where the law requires information to be passed on. Again if we do need to disclose your information we will ensure it is kept secure.

Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential and secure.

We are required by law to report certain information to the appropriate authorities. This is only provided after formal permission has been given by a qualified health professional.  

Our guiding principle is that we are holding your records in strict confidence and with a high level of security.

The Data Protection Act

The Data Protection Act (DPA) gives individuals certain rights regarding information held about them. It places obligations on those who process information, such as Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, while giving rights to those who are the subject of that data, such as our patients and staff. Anyone processing personal information must notify the Information Commissioner’s Office.

View Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Data Controller Notification.

To learn more about the Data Protection Act visit the website of the Information Commisioner's Office.

Patient confidentiality

The Freedom of Information Act does not change the right of patients to protection of their patient confidentiality in accordance with Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention, the Data Protection Act and at common law. Maintaining the legal right to patient confidentiality continues to be an important commitment on our part. To help with this we have a Caldicott Guardian who has responsibility to ensure the protection of patient confidentiality throughout the Trust in accordance with your legal rights.

At Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, our Caldicott Guardian is:

Mr Declan Flanagan
Medical Director
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
City Road
London EC1V 2PD