Doctor knows best!!

[Bagrat]

Haha you'll like this! I asked for copy of GPs letter following husband's private consult with cardiologist he has always see n via NHS. Didn't arrive so left message for his sec.Apparently Consultant does not like sending copy letters as people Google then bombard him with questions and he'd rather it was discussed with GP to avoid misunderstandings! I said I was retired nurse, had specifically asked for letter ( who knows how much or how little GP will share) saying my husband would not read it but I would!

She's sending one today!! I wanted access to his recommendations ( for brain scan, memory clinic and neurologist was what he said to us) as I know these can only be recommendations.

I have complete faith in the clinical decisions of both but these are our issues qnd as is so often said here, "knowledge is power". Many of my friends ( and my husband!) would rather not know too much.

[pottypete1]

My EP copies me with all the letters he sends to my GP. He has always been an excellent communicator.

Pete

[Fibber222 in reply to pottypete1]

And me too.

[mjames1]

It was like that in the US until a few years ago. You had to beg and sometimes that wasn't enough. Now, everything -- test results, doctors notes, etc, goes online as soon as they are generated. In most cases I would get the test results before my doctors 😀 Was that because all of a sudden our doctors became enlightened and prescribed to shared medical decision making? Oh No. It was because Federal and State laws were passed. So write your MP (hope I got that right. 😀

[jeanjeannie50]

I always get copies of all my consultants letters to my GP. Different areas of the UK all vary so much.

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

yes, we do too, but sometimes our notes on the patient access medical history are not correct-a case pinpoint-I was scanning through mine a week or so ago, and saw that someone had written my thyroxine dose was 1000mcg!! They meant 100mcg, but what a terrible mistake to make if another medic needed to check! I was furious and got them to change it PDQ. Also, another incident, I have a branch retinal vein occlusion, which causes no symptoms by requires an injection into my eye every 4 weeks. It won't deteriorate into macular degeneration, but, because I have been tagged onto the AMD clinic (so I see the same dr each time-my choice) my surgery have assumed I have AMD and it is on my notes! Another change is imminent!

[baba]

Everyone is entitled to have copies of all letters and test results, in UK

[momist in reply to baba]

Sadly, 'entitled' doesn't mean that it happens. ☹️

[baba in reply to momist]

Tell “them” you want access to “your” information under GDPR rules

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations)

“One of the aims of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is to empower individuals and give them control over their personal data. The GDPR has a chapter on the rights of data subjects (individuals) which includes the right of access, the right to rectification, the right to erasure, the right to restrict processing, the right to data portability, the right to object and the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing”

[Bagrat in reply to baba]

Thanks, interesting, I'm sure it will arrive now but good to know

[baba in reply to Bagrat]

You are not entitled to your husband's information without his permission!!!!

[Bagrat in reply to baba]

Yes I know: we've signed all forms at surgery, he has complex selection of ailments so 2 heads better than one, especially as he buries head in sand!!

[Gumbie_Cat]

it seems to vary between consultants. I would rather be copied in, though I can ask my GP practice.

[Bagrat in reply to Gumbie_Cat]

Never had an issue before.

[Gumbie_Cat]

I’ve found it recently, though other consultants send me a copy of the letter following a consultation. Seems rather paternalistic though!

[Omniscient1]

Double bad marks to the consultant as you are his customer, you're paying him!!

[DevonHubby1]

Here in Devon they have an electronic system called 'MyCare'. If you sign up for it you get all your hospital appointments by email and see all test results and letters. Its not perfect but allows us to nag GP when we don't see them actioning what the consultant has requested.

[Meg24rd in reply to DevonHubby1]

thats interesting to know, will look into it, very fortunate with my cardiologist at Derriford

[Singwell]

Yes, that made me 😁. You can sort of understand when so many of us use Dr Google, put 2 and 2 together to make 55 and then jump to conclusions because we don't have the training. Not in your case of course! But anybody can find anything on the Internet these days and instantly think they're now an expert. My profession for instance!! But holding back the patient's info isn't the solution either. We also need more access to pur GPs do they can explain implications of test results. Preferably in a meeting- not just a phonecall.

[1290Duke]

Get your husband on the NHS website, sign up for an account then fill in a form at the GP to enable online access to his medicals records. Job done, you will have access to all test reports and letters.

[Bagrat in reply to 1290Duke]

We both have that but in our area you can't see letters or we in spite of diligent searches have not found them. In any case this was a private consult which was why I particularly wanted a copy.

[Carew in reply to Bagrat]

If nothing else works, put in a Subject Access Request to the consultant.

(Maybe the consultant's records are actually held by a private clinic/hospital? In which case consultant should, indeed must, pass on request to them. You don't need to know or care.)

Finite length of time to respond. Check the Information Commissioner's website for details.

[Carrie27]

Have never heard of this before and it does not comply with NHS guidelines that patients should be fully informed so that they can give informed consent. In past 2 years I have been seen by several different consultants, from several different specialties, due to various complications following GCA and not one has not sent me a copy of the letter they send to my GP.

[Cat04]

You can access your medical letters to your GP on the NHS app or Patient Access.

[Carew in reply to Cat04]

Not available everywhere.

[Cat04 in reply to Carew]

I'm sorry, I thought the NHS app/Patient Access was available to all. I did have to get permission from my GP's practice to register to view my documents & hosp letters. Apologies for my mistake.

[Carew in reply to Cat04]

Apologies absolutely NOT needed.

Not in Wales and Scotland and I doubt in Northern Ireland. Plus there are issues at quite a number of GP surgeries in England.

[Ducky2003]

My consultants, across all disciplines, send me a copy of the letter sent to my GP (I'm in the Midlands) and yes, there's been a couple of "what's that???" moments but I phone or email, not Google.

[Vonnegut]

I tried to “like” what you have written but it went from “4”to “unlike” ! I think your contribution is very good and I’m sure others do too, so far more than 4 of us!!

[Fibber222]

I would have thought that as he has paid for the service that he should get a report back from the consultant for sure. Anyone correct me if I’m wrong.

[kkatz]

Hi I have access to my online records at GP and can usually read & download.However I do get copies from EP & Neurologist.Sometimes before my GP practice puts online.

[CardiacPatient]

Your husband is entitled to any letters sent by outside Specialists to his GP. If he doesn't get them directly, as I always do via email or snail mail, then he can make further requests,. In this instance your husband could simply go to his GP Receptionist and ask to have them all printed out.

Furthermore, this is what makes the patient the centre of his care, and is a right.

[Bagrat in reply to CardiacPatient]

Yes, we always get copy letters