Who are we?
Our Trust provides healthcare services across the Fylde Coast, Lancashire and South Cumbria. And includes the National Artificial Eye Service, who offer specialist care across England.
What is this leaflet for?
This leaflet explains why we keep personal information about you. And how we use it
and why we may need to share it.
Information about you:
We keep personal information about you in a ‘health record’. This helps us to provide
the best possible care to you.
This includes your address, date of birth and name of your GP. We also keep information about any treatment that you have had.
Let us know when you arrive if anything has changed. This helps us to keep your
personal information up-to-date. For example, you may have moved house.
Where do we get your information from?
We get information from you to support your care. We may get important information
from family or friends who care for you. Or, from other healthcare staff, such as
your GP.
Why do we need this information?
• To ensure we have up-to-date and correct information.
• To make sure we are meeting your healthcare needs.
• To remind you about appointments.
• To check and improve the quality of care that you receive.
• To look into complaints and incidents.
Do we use your information for anything else?
Yes, to educate and train healthcare staff.
For these purposes, there are strict rules about how your information can be used.
Your name and other details will be removed where possible. Or we will ask for your consent.
And to:
• Prepare statistics on NHS performance.
• Make sure that our services meet patient needs now and in the future.
• For healthcare research.
How do we protect your confidentiality?
Under the following laws, we have to keep your information safe and private:
• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Common Law Duty of Confidentiality
We may hold your health record on paper, or on secure computer systems.
Sometimes we may have to share your information:
If you have committed a serious crime.
If you are a risk to the public or yourself. Or, to keep vulnerable children and adults safe.
You have rights and can ask us:
For copies of the information that we have about you. This is called a Subject Access Request.
To explain how we use information about you.
For us to change any information if it is wrong.
For us to give copies of your information to other organisations.
What if you do not want us to share your information?
You can ask us not to share your information. But it might make it difficult to get the services that you need. Under the law, sometimes we may still need to share.
If you are concerned, speak to the staff looking after you. This could be your doctor or nurse.
Who can I contact if I am not happy?
The Data Protection Officer
Information Governance
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust
The Stadium, Seasiders Way,
Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 6JX.
Email: bfwh.dataprotection.officer@nhs.net
To access your information
Please contact the Information Rights team.
Telephone: 01253 953056
Email: bfwh.information.rights@nhs.net
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Author Digital Policy Group
Date of Approval 28/11/2025
Review Date 01/11/2028
Reference No PL/024 (v6)
