How we use information about you

Information about you is held by Cervical Screening Wales

Cervical Screening Wales holds certain information about you for a number of reasons. We need to know your name, address and date of birth and the details of your GP so that we can invite you for screening at the right time. Your test results, any photographs taken with your consent and any resulting treatment are also recorded. If you tell us you do not want to be screened, we keep a record of your basic details to ensure that you are not invited.

How we use the information

Care is taken to ensure that your personal details are only used when needed. Your personal details are used to ensure we are collecting and using accurate data.

Cervical Screening Wales will keep your sample for at least 10 years. Any photographs taken are stored with your hospital records. We may need to review samples, screening records and any photographs taken to check that the standard of our service is as high as possible and to help increase the expertise of specialist staff.

We also collect information on all cervical cancers in order to monitor and evaluate the screening programme, which includes measuring the expected decrease in the number of deaths from cervical cancer.

How we keep information safe

The Director of Cervical Screening Wales is responsible for making sure that your details are used properly. We keep all paper records in locked offices away from the public, while computer records are guarded by passwords known only to approved members of staff. All staff receive regular training about security and confidentiality.

Sharing information

We only ever publish information as statistics and we never publish your personal details.

We pass on your personal data to those with a statutory or medical requirement for it. Your information goes to and from your Local Health Authority, to your own GP and if you have a diagnosis of cancer to the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Support Unit. Information will also be given to a medical consultant if it is needed for your medical care. All these organisations/individuals have the same duty of confidentiality as Cervical Screening Wales.

Occasionally we are asked to provide information for research trials or audit. Each request for information is seen for approval by the Director of Cervical Screening Wales and the Caldicott Guardian (the Screening Services person who is responsible for confidentiality and the uses of patient information). Most requests ask for anonymised information only. If identifiable data are requested, your consent will be sought before any details are given to individuals not working for Cervical Screening Wales. Occasionally, for very large studies which are important to protect public health, your information may be used without seeking consent, but only when there is a lawful basis for doing so. Before releasing personal details, Cervical Screening Wales requires researchers to receive the approval of the Medical Research Ethics Committee.

Information about Cervical Screening Wales

Cervical Screening Wales publishes information about its services on the web at: www.screeningservices.org.uk/csw

You may request information under the Freedom of Information Act either by:

Making a suggestion or complaint

If you would like to make a suggestion, comment or complaint, please write to us at the address below. Further details are also on our website.

Further information

If you have any questions about the information we hold about you, please contact:

The Director
Cervical Screening Wales
18 Cathedral Road
Cardiff
CF11 9LJ

Other useful sources about information and how you can access it

Information Commissioner: www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Information Commissioners Office (Wales)
2 Alexandra Gate
Ffordd Pengam
Cardiff
CF24 2SA
Tel: 029 - 2089 4929
Fax: 029 - 2089 4930
Email: Wales@ico.gsi.gov.uk

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