Letting someone talk to us about your care
Your health information is confidential. Normally, we only talk to you about your care.
If you would like us to talk to someone else, such as your partner, a family member or a carer, you need to give us permission first.
How to give someone permission
Ask at reception for a consent form, or tell us when you next speak to us. We will need:
their name, their phone number, and how they know you
what we can talk to them about: everything, or only some things, such as appointments and prescriptions
how long the permission should last, if it is not ongoing
When they contact us, we will check who they are before we talk about you.
You can change or cancel your permission at any time. Just let us know.
Other ways someone can help you
| What you want | What to use |
|---|---|
| Someone to talk to us about your care | Permission, as on this page |
| Someone to order your prescriptions or book appointments online | Proxy access, in the NHS App |
| Someone to make decisions for you if you cannot | A lasting power of attorney |
Young people
If you are 16 or over, we treat you as an adult. We will not talk to your parents about your care unless you agree.
If you are under 16, you can still see a doctor or nurse in confidence, if they think you understand the care you are asking for. We may encourage you to involve a parent or another adult you trust.
When we may share information without your permission
This is rare. It may happen if someone is at serious risk of harm, or if the law says we must.
Read more in our patient confidentiality page and our practice privacy policy.
Non-urgent advice: Are you a carer?
If you look after someone, please tell us you are a carer. We can offer you support, and note it on both your records.
Page last reviewed: 4 November 2026