How we use your information

The Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust collects and shares information relating to you and your child.

What happens to the information that you give us about you and your child?

Wherever possible we remove personal details to make it anonymous.

Information may then be shared with other people within the departments of health, social services and the education services.

Everyone working for the NHS and receiving information from the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about patients confidential.

How do we know it is you – Your child’s NHS Number

Every person (you and your child) has a unique reference number – 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 ask a member of staff.

Why do we collect and share information?

For you

• It may be needed if we see your child again.
• To assist other services in providing the best ongoing care for you and your child.
• To review and audit the care we provide to make sure it is of the highest standard.
• To investigate any complaints or legal cases.
• To enable us to remind you of appointments (mobile phone texting).

For the community

• To plan and monitor what health care services are needed in your area and nationally via various datasets.
• To ensure we obtain the correct levels of funding.
• So we can monitor how well the NHS copes with health care needs.
• We have a statutory duty to let the public health department know about certain infectious diseases. 

For future patients

• To train and educate staff (patients can choose whether or not to be involved personally).
• To conduct research. This has to be approved by a local research ethics committee (if anything to do with the research involves you or your child personally you will be contacted to see if you are willing to take part).
• To see if we are meeting our targets on the standards of care provided.
• Some information is held centrally by the Department of Health.

Do you give my information to my relatives?

We do not give information to your friends or relatives without your permission.

Can I see the information held about me and my child?

Yes you may have a right of access to your child’s health record.

You can apply in writing to the Trust for access to your child’s health record – email scn-tr.schsars@nhs.net

What is the policy about the use of cameras and video equipment?

The Trust requests that patient’s privacy is respected and reminds patients and visitors that the use of devices to capture pictures and video of other individuals is not permitted without their consent whilst on Trust premises.