The practice is registered and complies with the Data Protection Act 1998. Any request for access to notes by a patient, patient’s representative or outside body will be dealt with in accordance with the Act. Please contact the Practice Manager for further information.
Your Data Matters to the NHS
Your health records contain a type of data called confidential patient information. This data can be used to help with research and planning.
You can choose to stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning. You can also make a choice for someone else like your children under the age of 13.
Your choice will only apply to the health and care system in England. This does not apply to health or care services accessed in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Find out how this data is used and how to opt out on the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/
GDPR patient information
Under the new GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) from 25 May 2018 there is a new law that determines how your personal data is kept safe and processed and the legal rights you have in relation to your own data.
Please see the practice’s Fair Processing Patient Information Leaflet for more information – Fair Processing Notice
What do we mean by ‘accessing health records’?
This means that you can see and/or have copies of your health records. these records could be those at the hospital or those held by your GP, dentist, pharmacist or optician. They also include records written by health visitors, district nurse and other community staff as well as the ambulance service. Records include xrays, scan, reports etc.
Why would I want to access my health records?
You may want to know what’s been written in your health records for many reasons. You may be thinking of making a complaint about your healthcare. You do not need to tell anyone the reasons why you want access to your health records
Will I have to pay any charges?
No under the new GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) there is now no fee providing there is not an unreasonable number of requests received in a short period of time.
Are there any date or time restrictions on health records that I can access?
No. You can request access to any health records that you know exists
How long should it take for my request to be processed?
You should be able to view and/or have copies of your health records within 28 days of your request being made and any necessary fee being paid.
What if I am requesting access to health records of somebody who has died?
Your rights are different. As duty of confidentiality survives a patient’s death then you have to have good reasons for wanting access. This may be because you are:
- the patient’s personal representative
- an executor of their will
- a person granted letters of administration by the probate registry or
- a person with a claim arising out of the patient’s death
- you can only access health records that were made from 1 November 1991. Similar charges apply as above. You can ask for somebody to be present, to provide any necessary explanations of what is written in the health records
Can my request be refused?
Yes. Where the record holder feels that it would cause serious harm to the physical or mental health of you or anyone else then you may be refused access. If you are refused access for this reason then you have the right to be advised about this refusal. See the Practice’s policy on Data Subject Rights
Data subject rights
Please complete the forms below if you would like to see or have a copy of your own medical records
Patient Request for Copy of Medical Records
If you wish to apply for a copy of the medical records for a 3rd party please complete the form below
Third Party Access to Medical Records
Access to medical records can be made in person or online
The practice utilises several different mediums to communicate with our patients, see attached document for more information Patient Communication Mediums
