Provider – Service Provider

6.1 Memorandum of Understanding 

Arrangements are required to be in place with each Service Provider signed-up to the social prescribing project. This will include what level of information is shared between the GP Practice/GP Link Worker and the Service Provider. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is useful to have agreed and in place between the GP Practice the GP Link Worker and the Service Provider. A copy of a MoU can be found at Appendix 8. The MoU will also be referenced within the DPIA for the social prescribing project.  

As part of the design phase of the social prescribing referral pathway there will be a requirement to agree how much background information the Service Providers actually require or expect before accepting a referral. To understand what would be helpful for both the Service Provider and the Person, (keeping aligned to information governance) only sharing Patient information that is appropriate and proportionate. Other considerations would be to agree if there is a time period for the referral, what happens in the event the Person does not attend the Service Provider? – who is following-up to attain where and how the Person is? 

Depending upon the design of the Social Prescribing Referral Pathway there may be a requirement for reporting on progress back to the GP Practice/GP Link Worker. For example has the Person attended the social prescribing sessions? 

6.2 Data Protection and Confidential Agreements 

As part of the MoU good practice for data protection and handling confidential information are included. The expectation from the GP Practice and the GP Link Worker with the external Service Provider are explained within the MoU. 

A confidentiality agreement will be included within the MoU and the Service Provider will be expected to sign up to this agreement. It will include how data is transferred appropriately between GP Link Worker and Service Provider and vice versa. It will also include how confidential information is stored within the Service Provider’s data storage system.