The campaign will have monthly themes explaining different aspects of how your information is handled during your care.
To make this information easy to find, the trust has created a dedicated page as the home for the full campaign.
What the campaign is about
Your personal information is an essential part of your care. This campaign explains, in clear and simple terms:
- how your information is used
- why it matters
- the safeguards that protect it
- the rights you have over your information
Our aim is to provide straightforward explanations that help you feel informed, reassured and confident about how your information is managed.
Monthly Themes
Why we create health records
Health records are created so that everyone involved in your care has accurate, up‑to‑date information. They help clinicians understand your medical history, make safe decisions, and provide the right treatment at the right time. Creating a record ensures your care is joined‑up, consistent and based on the best available information.
Why we keep health records
We keep health records for set periods under national NHS rules. This means information is available if you return for future care, need follow‑up treatment, or require evidence of past care. Keeping records helps protect your safety, supports continuity of care and ensures the NHS can meet legal and clinical requirements.
Access rights: Your right to see your record
You have the right to request a copy of your health record. This helps you understand your care, check information is accurate and stay involved in decisions about your health. We will always explain how to make a request and what you can expect from the process.
Rectification rights: Correcting your record
If you believe something in your record is wrong or incomplete, you can ask us to correct it. Clinical opinions cannot be deleted, but factual errors can be corrected, and your views can always be added. This helps ensure your record is accurate and reflects your experience.
Your Right to be Informed
You have the right to understand how your information is used, who it is shared with and why. This campaign is part of our commitment to providing clear, accessible explanations so you always know what happens to your information.
Confidentiality (Common Law Duty of Confidentiality)
Your information is confidential. Only staff who are directly involved in your care, or who support the safe running of NHS services, can access it. We follow the Common Law Duty of Confidentiality, which means information is shared only when necessary, lawful and in your best interests.
When your rights apply
Your information rights apply in different ways depending on the situation. For example, you can access your record or ask for corrections, but health records usually cannot be deleted because they form part of your clinical history. We will explain clearly how each right works in a healthcare setting.
Sharing information for direct care
Sometimes different NHS teams or services need to work together to support your care. When this happens, information is shared securely and only when necessary. Sharing helps ensure everyone involved has the full picture, reducing delays and improving safety.
Security and access controls
Your information is protected by strong technical and organisational safeguards. These include access controls, audit logs, encryption, secure systems and regular staff training. These measures help keep your information safe from loss, misuse or unauthorised access.
When we must share information by law
In rare situations, we must share information without consent—for example, to protect a child or vulnerable adult, to prevent serious harm, or when required by law. These decisions follow strict rules and are always made in the public interest.
Safeguarding
Sometimes information needs to be shared to protect children, young people or vulnerable adults. Safeguarding decisions are taken carefully and involve only the minimum information necessary to keep people safe.
Caldicott: Your information, your choices
The Caldicott Principles guide how the NHS uses and shares information. They ensure information is used fairly, lawfully and only when necessary. They also support your right to understand how your information is used and to make informed choices about your care.
