The Infected Blood Psychology Service (IBPS) is a specialist NHS service delivered across multiple provider trusts. If you access support through the IBPS, the provider trusts involved in your care will be responsible for controlling your personal and clinical information to support the delivery of your care.
This will involve collecting and sharing personal information using a secure national electronic patient record system (PCMIS) or using secure NHS email.
When you are referred to the service and receive care through the IBPS, your name, contact details and relevant clinical information will be recorded to assess your needs and to support your care. All information is recorded into a single electronic patient record. This record can be securely shared with clinicians in teams directly involved in your care.
Confidentiality
All information held by IBPS provider trusts will only be accessed by authorised NHS professionals involved in your care, under strict role-based permissions.
All staff are bound by NHS confidentiality rules and have been trained in Data Security and Protection.
Your information will never be shared outside the NHS unless required by law, or where there is a risk of serious harm.
Consent
You do not need to give explicit (written) consent for provider trusts to use your data for care. By accessing the service, you are giving implied consent (informed agreement) for provider trusts to use your information to support your care pathway.
Additionally, to help NHS England monitor access into IBPS and the effectiveness of the service, reports will be generated and sent by Newcastle Hospitals as the National Provider Trust. Any reports produced will be anonymised (de-identified) to maintain your confidentiality. At no time will any identifiable information be shared that can be linked back to specific individuals.
Further information about how we use your information and uphold your confidentiality can be found in the National IBPS Privacy Notice.
IBPS, IBCA and Your Confidential Information
The Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS) is an NHS psychological therapy service and is separate from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).
We understand that some people may be concerned about whether information shared with IBPS could be accessed as part of the infected blood compensation process. Many people have accessed psychological support during particularly difficult periods in their lives and expect that information to remain confidential.
IBCA has publicly stated that it will never use powers under the Victims and Prisoners Act (Section 53) to access records held by the Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS). (IBCA Community Update, 6 August 2026 (HTML) – GOV.UK)
Your IBPS records are held securely within dedicated NHS systems and are managed in accordance with NHS confidentiality, information governance and data protection requirements. IBPS does not provide direct access to its clinical records to IBCA.
If an individual wishes to provide information from their IBPS records to support a compensation claim, they may request access to those records themselves through a Subject Access Request (SAR). Any such request can only be processed with the individual’s consent. Find out more about Subject Access Requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can IBCA see my IBPS records?
No.
Your psychological records are stored securely on the NHS PCMIS electronic patient record system and can only be accessed by authorised members of the IBPS team and others with a legitimate clinical or administrative need in accordance with NHS policies and procedures
IBCA has stated that it will not use powers under the Victims and Prisoners Act to access records held by the Infected Blood Psychological Service.
Does IBPS share my records with IBCA?
No.
IBPS does not share clinical records with IBCA. IBPS and IBCA are separate organisations with different roles and responsibilities.
What if I would like IBCA to see information from my IBPS records?
If you believe information within your IBPS records may be relevant to your compensation claim, you can request a copy of your records through a Subject Access Request (SAR). You can then choose whether to provide that information to IBCA.
Any Subject Access Request can only be processed with your consent.
How can I access my psychology records?
You have the right to request access to your personal information, including your psychological records. This is known as a Subject Access Request (SAR).
We aim to work openly and collaboratively with the people we support. Clinical notes are a summary of the conversations that take place during your appointments and any agreed plans for your care. In general, there should not be information in your records that you are unaware of, and we encourage people to discuss any questions or concerns about their notes with their clinician.
To make a request, please contact your Trust’s Subject Access Request or Information Governance Team, who will explain the process and any identification requirements.
Find out more about Subject Access Requests.
Will requesting my records affect my care?
No.
Requesting access to your records will not affect the care and support you receive from IBPS.
Who can I speak to if I am worried about confidentiality?
If you have concerns about the privacy of your information, please speak to a member of the IBPS team. We will be happy to explain how your information is stored, who can access it, and the safeguards in place to protect your confidentiality.