Can consultant get my notes

[Physalis]

If I go to see a consultant privately, can he obtain my notes from my doctor? And test results, blood tests, x-rays etc?

[Pigleywigley]

hi when I went I had to request my notes from hospital and GP & send them to him. It was relatively straight forward & easy.

[BobD Volunteer]

You need to get your GP to sort that all out.

[mjames1]

I'm from the other side of the pond, but here I always ask my doctor to send ME the notes for my own file. Not only will I have a better idea of what exactly is going on, but I will have them at hand, should another doctor want them. Lately, the regulations have made that very easy, in fact, you don't even have to ask now, as most hospital affiliated doctors have to post online their notes and that include test results. So now, I probably see my test results before even my doctor does!

Jim

[waveylines in reply to mjames1]

Wow Jim. That's amazing. Sadly not the cSe in my neck of the woods. Can't even see my blood test results! Lol.... You give me hope that one day I might..... 😊

[Omniscient1 in reply to waveylines]

Hi wavylines, do you not have the NHS app? This should give you access once you've got it up and running,to your records and test results. You have a right under law to see your own medical records by the way. Your GP (or hospital) cannot block this.Gary

[waveylines in reply to Omniscient1]

I do have the NHS app. I can see my repeat prescription dates & can order repeats but nothing else. My Surgery said they haven't got that side of it running yet. Well that's what they told me a few months back. 🙄 It's a large surgery so am surprised.

[waveylines in reply to Omniscient1]

I've just double checked. And the NHS app says I don't have authority contact GP surgery.... That's what it said before. So I contacted them but they said we haven't got that up and running yet...... I'll try again but doubt I'll get any further. 🙄

[Omniscient1 in reply to waveylines]

Well that's a poor do! When I installed the NHS app I was expecting a fight with my surgery but they conceded right away. I get that they need to do some IT but they could give you a date. As I said you have a right to see your records anyway and this is the easiest way they can do it. But best of luck!!

[waveylines in reply to Omniscient1]

😢 Indeed. They are not very obliging tbh. I will try again & call in.... Not up for the 50min phone queue... even in the afternoon!

[Coco51 in reply to waveylines]

I think it's to do with efficiency - or lack of - i.e. the fact that they haven't sorted the IT out. It is supposed to be "on the way". So said the doctors at our last Patient Participation Group meeting. They are struggling at the moment with NHS contract requirements and politics, e.g. online triage systems etc. If your surgery has a Patient Group, it could be a good idea to join it.

[Thomas45 in reply to waveylines]

Well I can see my blood test results in full. I use the Airmid app on my phone, which gives me access to my medical notes and test results, and letters from hospital consultants. The NHS app gives them as well, once you've got over the hurdles of registering for them. Airmid was much more straightforward.

[mrgwair567 in reply to Thomas45]

Hi Thomas 45 Thanks for that info! You learn something everyday!

[mrgwair567 in reply to mrgwair567]

Hi Thomas45 Unfortunately I cannot use the App as I live in Wales!!

[mrgwair567 in reply to mrgwair567]

Oh dear , I’ve just found that we have our own NHS Wales ! Must have had a ‘senior moment’ 😱😂

[waveylines in reply to Thomas45]

Thank u! I will look up Airned app. I can't get any further with NHS App. My GP Surgery don't give that sort of access. It annoys me. Lol....

[baba in reply to waveylines]

Ask your surgery what app they are using to allow patients access to their medical files, you have a legal right to see whatever notes they have.

Unfortunately you can only use whatever your surgery has signed up to. I thought the NHS app would be best when my surgery were changing to a new system. Unfortunately it is far from perfect. I think that too depends on the surgery.

[waveylines in reply to baba]

Thanks Baba.... I have tried. They blame it on the NHS app but will try again.

[baba in reply to waveylines]

More information here

patients-association.org.uk....

[waveylines in reply to Thomas45]

So I downloaded the Airmid app. Set up was easy. However it said:-Your GP Surgery has not enabled, nessenging, summary record or access to medical records.

At least I have proof that it is the surgery.... Not gremlins in the NHS app. Shall be following this up.!!

[mjames1 in reply to waveylines]

It used to be pulling teeth getting records, but with a combination of recent state and federal regulations, you now have immediate access online to practically all medical records, including doctor notes, blood test results, MRI's, CT scans, etc. In the old days, the doctor was the gatekeeper and you would have to wait till they saw the test results (often days, even weeks after they were available) and many times it would even require an additional doctor's appointment to "discuss".

For example, I sometimes had to wait a week or two for radiology reports and when you called the doctor's office, you'd get something like "the doctor will call you when the reports are available", or "would you like to make an appointment to discuss with the doctor'.

Guess what? I found out that radiology reports are often ready within 1-2 hours of the imaging! Now, I read the reports online and then wait a week until the doctor gets around to review and discuss

[waveylines in reply to mjames1]

Ah. R you in the USA? I'm in the UK..... 😊

[mjames1 in reply to waveylines]

USA. Not that our health care system is always a bed of roses. I just saw an ortho recently and went online a couple of hours later to read his notes. There were so many inaccuracies that I wasn't even sure it was me! Maybe it's better not to know what they write

Jim

[baba in reply to mjames1]

Most imaging is now digital.

[pusillanimous in reply to mjames1]

Wow, I thought South Africa was a backward third world country! Whenever I have a dexa bone scan or mammogram, I sit in the Radiologist's waiting room for 15 minutes and then the full printed report is handed to me. With radiographs, if my GP wants a straightforward one, I walk down the passage to a nearby radiologist (they are all private practices so there are several choices depending on their equipment), and by the time I've walked back to my doctor, not only do I have a CD but she has the images on her computer!

[Countrydweller2 in reply to mjames1]

How do you access your notes, please?

[Dudtbin in reply to Countrydweller2]

i have the Airmid app and can access my notes whenever i want. You have to have nhs or surgery password.

[mjames1 in reply to Countrydweller2]

I'm in the US and they are immediately available online per recent federal and state regulation. You can also request them in other formats.

Jim

[paolina in reply to mjames1]

In Italy we have to collect the test results etc from the hospital or clinic, and then take them to the doctor, at one time they were sealed I think they must have realised most people look at them before going to the doctor so don't bother now. We also don't get the x.rays etc unless we pay for them unless we've had them done privately now and clinics put the results on cd's now.

[Slm1476764]

Morning Physalis.When I went to see my cardiologist a few months ago ( he also works for NHS) he pulled off my recent NHS full blood test from my NHS notes on line so they must have access. Also , if you have the NHS app you can view your own records and share them.

[waveylines]

It depends who you see privately. The consultants I saw do private & NHS. They pulled my NHS files so could look at it before seeing me privately. If it was an out of area consultant I don't think they can do this.

[Jalia]

When I had to see a cardiologist privately last year prior to my hip replacement he was able to pull up all my NHS blood tests etc . and discuss with me. Some interesting revelations came to light which I had been unaware of !

[Pindarus]

When I went to see a private consultant who also did work for the NHS as most do he also pulled out my full history. Not sure they can do that if they don't do any NHS work.

[Jajarunner]

Yes, the private secretary will contact the NHS secretary. It was all very seamless in my case x

[4chickens]

If your consultant also works for the NHS, they can access your notes via system one. It’s meant to be seamless but isn’t always.

[Physalis]

This consultant doesn't do any work for the NHS any more so it seems it may be a bit more difficult. I've spent ages messing around with AirMid and the NHS app with very little luck. Eventually, I logged on to PatientAccess and they have got my medical notes. Unfortunately, these seem to be limited to Allergies and Medications. I will email the surgery tomorrow.

Now I will go and watch the London Marathon, one of my granddaughters is running in it. I might catch a glimpse of her, but probably that's too much to hope for!

[gordeno8 in reply to Physalis]

If the consultant doesn't do NHS work anymore.its due to greed.he doesn't deserve to get the work.your doctors will pass you to the hospital who will assign a consultant to your case

[Physalis in reply to gordeno8]

I can't go into details but I think that charging £280 an hour is much better value for a top of the tree specialist than my run of the mill solicitor who was as much use as a chocolate teapot.

In his case it is understandable and I don't see it as greed.

[gordeno8 in reply to Physalis]

My niece needed tonsils out several years ago.was told she would be on waiting list for about 2years.my brother said would it be better to go private,to which the consultant said yes £2,300 I can do it tomorrow.that is greed because They use the equipment of NHS hospitals.and claim a fee from both.

[Physalis in reply to gordeno8]

I tend to agree with you but we are where we are. Doctors are allowed to do private work.

This goes back to the formation of the NHS in 1948 when Aneurin Bevan the Labour Minister of Health boasted that he achieved his goal of getting the doctors to join in 'by stuffing their mouths with gold'. By that he meant letting them do private work as well as work for the NHS.

[gordeno8 in reply to Physalis]

I had 2 hernia repair in1996 supossed to be private through bupa.the consultant as I said previously didn't do them.he past it to his junior.but he got the fee.

[Physalis in reply to gordeno8]

I had a vitrectomy a year or so ago. That was done by a trainee with the surgeon supervising. The result was the same.

I was awake so knew what was going on! She was welcome to use me as a learning aid.

[gordeno8 in reply to Physalis]

You were lucky then.when I had my hernia repair done consultant wasn't even then

[gordeno8]

Yes they can .but why do you go private.if you have payed into the NHS though work.you are entitled to NHS treatment.

[Physalis in reply to gordeno8]

I have never gone private in my life and have been very well treated by the NHS, having had four operations in the past three years.

However, there are instances when the GP system can fail badly and serious conditions are not being diagnosed or dealt with. This is what is happening in this case.

Even being referred to the hospital means a six months wait these days.

[gordeno8 in reply to Physalis]

Yes but you need to realise it's the same consultant who deal with NHS and private.i 4 cases were I had operations he didn't even do them he past it to a junior.

[Physalis]

Of course I realise that. It's not a case of being bumped up the queue. It's because the GP cannot diagnose the problem. It's a diagnosis I want, nothing else.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Heck yes.

But it is always good to get copies of every test, consultant notes etc to manage your health daily.

Then you will have all the notes.

If your Dr referred you to the private specialist she/h will print out a list of diagnosis.

I would also write a list myself. Take your time as many items forgotten.

Especially important are the diagnosis from the start of your journey AF? and drugs and changes, operations etc.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[john-boy-92]

If you have private scans and consultations with companies such as Spire, they are not sent to the NHS. I scanned mine onto a USB and gave it to my Primary Care GP to add to my NHS records.