Your privacy is paramount — understanding how we handle your information
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of good medical practice and is fundamental to the therapeutic relationship. Everything you discuss with Dr Sivasanker during a consultation is held in the strictest confidence, in accordance with GMC guidance, the Data Protection Act 2018, and UK GDPR.
Seeking psychiatric help can be a significant step. We want you to feel completely safe in the knowledge that your personal health information will not be shared without your explicit consent — except in the limited circumstances described below.
In the vast majority of cases, information is shared only with your consent — for example, sending a report to your GP or another treating doctor. There are, however, a small number of legally defined circumstances in which a doctor may have a duty to share information without consent:
These situations are rare. Dr Sivasanker will always aim to discuss any such circumstances with you before taking action, unless this is not safe or practicable.
Your medical records are stored securely in accordance with data protection legislation. You have the right to request access to your records at any time. Please contact us for information on how to make a Subject Access Request.
No. Information about your consultation will not be shared with your employer. As with all private medical consultations, your appointment and its contents are entirely confidential. The only exception would be if you specifically asked us to provide a report for occupational health or employment purposes, or in the very rare circumstances described above.
We recommend that your GP is kept informed of your care as this allows for coordinated, safe treatment. However, a GP letter is only sent with your explicit consent. If you prefer that your GP is not contacted, please discuss this with Dr Sivasanker at your appointment.
Your information is stored securely using encrypted digital systems in compliance with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Access is restricted to authorised clinical and administrative staff only. Records are retained for the period required by law and then securely destroyed.
5-star rated on Google and 4.9/5 on TopDoctors — Dr Sivasanker is one of the most highly regarded consultant psychiatrists in the region.
