Improving Communication routes between Schools and GP Practices Advice on contact Guidelines for effective partnership working July 2018 to be reviewed December 18

Who and how to contact? Find the name of the practice manager/Headteacher. Then send an e-mail or make a phone call to agree the working relationship. This may be a single discussion or to set up a long term approach. (This might be different for each school and practice). Sometimes a face to face meeting might be useful.

Guidelines for effective partnership working   Remember that GDPR is not a barrier to sharing information but provides a framework to ensure that personal information is shared appropriately. Be open and honest with the young person (and/or their family where appropriate) from the outset about why, what, how and with whom information will, or could be shared, and seek their agreement, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so. Seek advice if you are in any doubt, without disclosing the identity of the person where possible. Share with consent where appropriate and where possible, respect the wishes of those who do not consent to share confidential information. You may still have information without consent if, in your judgement, that lack of consent can be overridden in the public interest. You will need to base your judgement on the facts of the case.

Consider safety and wellbeing: base your information sharing decisions on considerations of the safety and well-being of the person and others who may be affected by their actions. Necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure: ensure that the information that you share is necessary for the purpose for which you are sharing it, is shared only with those people who need to have it, is accurate and up-to-date, is shared in a timely fashion, and is shared securely. Keep a record of your decision and the reason for it, whether it is to share information or not. If you decide to share, then record what you have shared, with whom and for what purpose

What information can the GP practice share with the DSL/Headteacher? GP’s will require parental consent unless the Safeguarding issues override this. Sharing parental information would only be made in exceptional circumstances. The GP will need to consider the impacts of GDPR when safeguarding can’t override. GP’s as individuals will consider the legality of sharing information and the issues of liability. If necessary they will seek advice from the General Medical Council (GMC).

Was not brought – protecting children Nottingham City Council, NHS Nottingham City CCG and the NCSCB have jointly commissioned an animation to encourage practitioners to identify children as ‘Was Not Brought’ as opposed to ‘Did Not Attend’ when referring to them not being presented at medical appointments. This is to protect children who are unable to attend appointments when an adult will not accompany them.