Records and Confidentiality
Information about how we share your records
The main hospital system uses multiple systems for blood results, imaging requests and clinic or hospital stay notes. Some HIV clinic tasks are currently done through these other systems, but clinical records from HIV clinic visits are kept on a separate system. This will be changing from September 2025.
What’s changing?
Across the trust, all systems are moving into one IT system called BetterCare. We will now record HIV clinic notes in the main hospital electronic patient record system. Blood results and letters will also be shared. We will keep your appointments and prescriptions on our separate system.
Why the change?
Using one IT system will be safer and more efficient. Many HIV clinics (all in East London) have moved onto the local electronic patient record system. The decision was made due to serious incidents affecting patient safety of not sharing information with other hospital specialities1.
Benefits of the change
All your medical information will be in one place. So, if you are seen elsewhere in Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust, they will have access to your HIV notes and test results. Overall, this means doctors won’t need to ask you as many questions about your HIV care during emergencies or other hospital visits. It makes your care safer and smoother.
How sensitive information will be handled
All NHS staff must keep information confidential. Personal and sensitive details, like those about sexual health including test results, will be stored on a restricted part of the system. Only staff from sexual health clinics can access this.
Confidentiality
Your confidentiality remains a priority. NHS staff must uphold patient privacy. They are only allowed to look at notes of patients they directly care for. The main hospital system tracks who views your notes, and there are consequences if someone looks without permission.
Impact on GP Access
This won’t affect what your GP can see as they have access to the London Care Record, which shares information between local hospitals. The only difference is they can see blood tests done in our clinic, like other hospital clinics. This may mean you need fewer blood tests for other reasons. They cannot access your clinic notes or medication records unless this is shared via letter or discharge summary, if you are admitted to hospital. We recommend that our patients let us communicate with their GP about their HIV care to ensure they receive safe and thorough treatment.
Do you have concerns or suggestions?
Please discuss with your usual clinic doctor at your next appointment.
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