Your information

Every person (you and your child) has a unique reference number – your NHS Number. The number looks like this: 0912458766.

Your NHS Number is unique to you. Using it to identify you correctly is an important step towards improving the safety of your healthcare.

If you know your NHS Number, or have it on a document or letter, you can help healthcare staff find your records more easily and share them safely with other people who are caring for you.

If you are unsure of your NHS number just ask a member of staff.

For you and your child

• To assist other services in providing the best ongoing care
• To review and audit the care we provide to ensure high standards
• To investigate complaints or legal cases

For the community and future patients (Research and Planning)

• To plan health care services needed in your area and nationally
• To ensure we obtain the correct levels of funding
• To conduct research and train staff

Your Choice

The Trust is compliant with the National Data Opt-Out. If you do not want your or your child’s confidential patient information to be used for the ‘Community’ and ‘Future patients’ purposes listed above, you can register an opt-out at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters. This will not affect the care you receive at Sheffield Children’s.

You have the right to object to the sharing of your or your child’s information. There are two main ways to do this:

National Data Opt-Out

This stops your confidential information being used for research and planning across the NHS. You can set this yourself at nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.

Right to Object (GDPR) 

If you wish to object to your information being shared for your direct care (for example, with a local school nurse or another hospital), please speak to the person in charge of your child’s care or contact our Data Protection Officer.

Please visit the medical records request webpage which gives you guidance on how to request the information you need.

Email: scn-tr.schsars@nhs.net

Please do not send any personal information via email.

Call 0114 305 58103 for further guidance and support.

Your information, your rights

If you are a child or young person receiving care at Sheffield Children’s, you have rights over the information we hold about you.

We want you to understand what information we keep, how we use it, and how you can ask questions or make requests.

What information do we hold?

We keep information about you so we can look after you and provide safe care.

This may include:

• Your name, address and date of birth
• Your NHS number
• Information about your appointments and treatment
• Information recorded by doctors, nurses and therapists involved in your care

What are my rights?

You have the right to:

See information about yourself

You can ask to see information we hold about you, including information in your health records.

This is called a Subject Access Request (SAR).

Ask us to correct information

If you think information about you is wrong or incomplete, you can ask us to look into it and correct it if needed.

Ask questions

You can ask:

• What information we hold about you
• Why we use it
• Who we share it with
• How we keep it safe

Tell us if you are unhappy

If you are concerned about how your information is being used, you can talk to us and ask for help.

How do I make a request?

You do not need to complete a form.

You can make a request:

• By speaking to a member of staff
• By telling your doctor, nurse, therapist or another healthcare professional
• By telephoning us
• By emailing us
• By writing to us
• By using one of our online forms if you prefer

You can make a request verbally or in writing.

If you tell a member of staff that you would like to see information about yourself or exercise one of your information rights, they will help you.

Can I make a request myself?

In many cases, yes.

If you understand what information you are asking for and what the request means, you may be able to make the request yourself.

Sometimes a parent, carer or someone with parental responsibility may make a request on your behalf.

We will consider each request carefully and always take account of your rights, privacy, and best interests.

Need help?

If you are unsure about anything, please ask.

We will explain things in a way that is easy to understand and help you exercise your rights.

Contact the Information Governance Team

Email: scn-tr.schsars@nhs.net

Video or recordings – including consultations e.g. discussions with your doctor – may only be conducted after discussion and agreement with the relevant individuals concerned/involved in the consultation.