About Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board
Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is the local NHS organisation that is responsible for making sure that health services meet the needs of local people and communities.
The ICB manages the NHS budget and works with local providers of NHS services (such as GP practices, dentists, pharmacies, hospitals and community health services) to make sure health services work well together and are of high quality.
It also works closely with organisations that provide NHS services to design health services that meet people’s current and future needs and makes sure that services are accessible to everyone.
The ICB also oversees patient complaints about NHS services, makes funding decisions about some treatments, and provides continuing healthcare for patients with long-term complex health needs.
It also works with NHS services and other organisations such as local councils and voluntary sector organisations to promote health and wellbeing so that people live well and for longer.
You can find out more on the Integrated Care Board website (www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk). Here are some pages that you might find useful:
Feedback and complaints – information about how to give feedback on the NHS services you receive and how to raise concerns or issues.
Funding your care – how to apply for an individual funding request for the ICB to pay for treatment that isn’t routinely offered on the NHS, information about continuing healthcare for adults or children and information and personal health budgets
Your health and care – information about NHS services that can help with your mental or physical health, how to get flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, and advice on staying well.
Get Involved – how patients, families, carers and the wider public can shape the development of local health and care services, including details of current surveys or engagement opportunities.
ICB Board (the ICB’s decision-making and leadership group) – find out who is on the board, how to join meetings and see public meeting papers which include lots of information including performance reports.
Medium term plan – a five-year plan that sets out where the local NHS will focus its efforts and investments so as to improve access to services and the health and wellbeing of local people.
The ICB also provides a fortnightly Health Matters newsletter that has news on health and care across Hertfordshire and west Essex, as well as campaigns, opportunities to get involved and events. Find out how to subscribe to Health Matters.
If you are please let us know - we may be able to help you
It is estimated there are over 145,000 people in Essex providing care for a relative or friend. Carers do an amazing job, and have the right to be supported. You do not have to wait until you are struggling or there is a crisis before you ask for support. The earlier you get help, the more difference it can make.
Please click on the link below to visit the carers first website
https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/essex
There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.
- Caring for a parent
Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home
- Telling people
Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.
- Taking a break
Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.
- Housing and carers
Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?
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Finance and Law
Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.
- Benefits for carers
Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role
- Benefits for the person you care for
Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to
- Death and benefits
How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
- Managing someone's legal affairs
Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after
- Other benefits
Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring
- Personal and household finance
Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers
- Social fund
- Tax credits
Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible
- Benefits for carers
In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are three things that must be done in the first few days;
- Get a medical certificate from your GP or hospital doctor (this is necessary to register the death)
- Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
- Make the necessary funeral arrangements.
Register the death
If the death has been reported to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) they must give permission before registering the death.
You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.
You can use the ‘Register a Death’ page on the gov.uk website that will guide you through the process. This will also explain the registration process for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Arrange the funeral
The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral directors
Choose a funeral director who’s a member of one of the following:
These organisations have codes of practice - they must give you a price list when asked.
Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals.
Arranging the funeral yourself
Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral costs
Funeral costs can include:
- funeral director fees
- things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
- local authority burial or cremation fees
Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.
All Patietns who register at the GP practice will be allocated a name accountable GP.
The named accountable GP's role is largely to oversee requirements that are being introduced to reassure patients they have one GP within the practice who is carried out on their behalf.
Patients are entitled to choose to see any GP or Nurse in the practice, you do not need to see you named accountable GP.
Before you are pregnant
Your pregnancy and labour
- How the baby develops
- 0-8 weeks pregnant
- 9-12 weeks pregnant
- 13-16 weeks pregnant
- 17-20 weeks pregnant
- 21-24 weeks pregnant
- 25-28 weeks pregnant
- 29-32 weeks pregnant
- 33-36 weeks pregnant
- 37-40 weeks pregnant
- 40+ weeks pregnant
- Your health in pregnancy
- Common health problems
- Antenatal care and classes
- Choosing where to have your baby
- Labour and birth
- When pregnancy goes wrong
You and your baby
- What you will need for your baby?
- Your life after the birth
- The first days with your baby
- The first weeks with your baby
- Feeding your baby
General pregnancy topics
Make your choice: Choose if data from your health records is shared – Type 1 (GP) and Type 2 (National Data) Opt Outs
You can choose whether your confidential patient information is used for research and planning. To find out more visit nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.
The national data opt-out was introduced on 25 May 2018, enabling patients to opt out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes, in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in her Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs.
You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your confidential patient information is used. You can change your choice at any time.
TYPE 1 Opt-Out: You can tell us if you do not want your confidential patient information held in your GP medical record to be used for purposes other than your individual care. This is commonly called a type 1 opt-out. We will code this on to your GP record.
TYPE 2 Opt-Out: To choose if data from your health records is shared by NHS Digital for research and planning purposes, you must visit: https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice/ and follow the instructions. IMPORTANT: You must make your choice via this website for your TYPE 2 (national data) Opt-Out to be correctly recorded.
There have been posts on social media with false information about opting out of sharing your data with the NHS.
Here’s what you need to know:
- There is no 30th September deadline for opting out of sharing your data. You can opt out at any time.
- NHS Digital will never sell your data.
- There are strict rules about how NHS can use your data. It’s only shared securely and safely.
- Shared data helps the NHS. It has been used to find the first treatment for coronavirus and for vaccine research.
Use this service to:
- Choose if your confidential patient information is used for research and planning
- Change or check your current choice
Patients can view or change their national data opt-out choice at any time by using the online service at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or by calling 0300 3035678.
There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.
Why do I need a Summary Care Record?
Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.
This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.
Who can see it?
Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.
How do I know if I have one?
Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP
Do I have to have one?
No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. You can use the form at the foot of this page.
More Information
For further information visit the NHS Care records website
Confidentiality & Medical Records
The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:
- To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
- To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
- When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.
If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.
Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.
Loughton Health Centre Data security and protection policies are available to view on request. Please ask to speak to the Practice Manager if you wish to view.
Freedom of Information
Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.
Access to Records
In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.
Complaints
We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.
However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.
To pursue a complaint please contact the practice administration manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception or by accessing our complaints leaflet below.
Complaints Procedure & Complaints Form
Violence Policy
The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.
You may be offered a remote consultation as an alternative to attending the practice in person. If you agree to a remote consultation, the GP or helathcare professional may need to receive and store images taken by patients for clinical purposes; this could include images for the purpose of intimate clinical assessment.
This will only be done in the interests of the patient where it is necessary for providing health care and with patient consent.
The approach to video consulting, image sharing, and storage is the same as it would be for face to face interactions. If we need to store images on your GP records this will be only for as long as necessary.
It is a patient's choice to share an image either of the patient's own accord or on request of the health professional treating you.
Refusal to share an image does not prevent access to care and treatment or result in patients receiving an inferior standard of care.
Further details about how remote consultation works can be obtained by contacting the practice.
Thank you.
PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST
Please remember that no matter how difficult your problems are your Midwife, Health Visitor, School Nurse or GP is there to help and support you in caring for your child/children.
The practice recognises that all children have a right to protection from abuse and the practice accepts its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children with whom staff may come into contact.
We are committed to a best practice which safeguards children and young people irrespective of their background, and which recognises that a child may be abused regardless of their age, gender, religious beliefs, racial origin or ethnic identity, culture, class, disability or sexual orientation.
GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulations and is a new piece of legislation that will supersede the Data Protection Act. It will not only apply to the UK and EU; it covers anywhere in the world in which data about EU citizens is processed.
The GDPR is similar to the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 (which the practice already complies with), but strengthens many of the DPA’s principles.
Please see GDPR Patient Leaflet in Reception and click on link to view Notice.