Getting Print Out Test Results from GP/Surgery

[Rhsana]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone on here knew or was familiar with the law regarding obtaining test results from your surgery. For the last few months, I have had my test results emailed to me when requested with the GP's permission on a case by case basis. I am now being told that the surgery can no longer email me my results as it is "illegal" to do so. Has anyone heard of this? How can it be illegal to send me my own results? Unfortunately, I no longer live close to the surgery but after talking with my Doctor have decided to stay there as we are in the middle of a 'process' and because of the pregnancy. I need to see the results as the receptionists on the other line only read out the notes from the doctor and do not go through each line with me- understandably as that would take awhile!

Can anyone point me to a site with legislation/ patient's rights so I know where I stand on this? Thank you!!! xxxx

[humanbean]

It could be that they are worried about sending results to the wrong people, or someone other than the intended recipient getting access to the results. Or they may already have done that, got it wrong, and been in tons of trouble because of it.

If they refuse to give you the results when you attend in person and show proof of identity - then that is a different kettle of fish entirely, and you would be within your rights to complain.

When I paid for a copy of my entire GP record the surgery would ring me but would never leave a message, and they were also using a phone number that was withheld so I didn't know who was calling. One day when they rang I was in, awake, and compos mentis, so I answered the phone, and they told me my copied records were ready for collection.

I asked why they hadn't left a message and they said they never do that because they don't know whether the right person would pick up the message.

[Rhsana in reply to humanbean]

Thanks, humanbean I understand what you are saying, but if they have an email address for you on file that has gone through the necessary 'checks' (which they do) surely there is no legal reason why they cannot use that email address. Otherwise, no company could ever email anyone under that reasoning... "we can't be sure the right recipient will be getting the email." Well no but written consent from the person with their email address should be enough for the DPA? Also how can it now all of a sudden be "illegal'? It wouldn't be an issue if I could pick the results up in person but I can't, hence the current dilemma. Gah! xxx

[humanbean in reply to Rhsana]

Sorry, can't help you there. It definitely isn't illegal for people to see their results. The NHS website is still giving information about it :

nhs.uk/chq/pages/1309.aspx?...

nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/re...

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2635.aspx

I really get the sneaky suspicion they've had their fingers burned somehow so are now blocking emails. But I could be barking up the wrong tree. Is it possible you spoke to a newbie receptionist?

If you get nowhere, write a letter to the practice manager asking why there has been a change in policy.

[Rhsana in reply to humanbean]

Amazing, thanks for those links! Yes I think you may well be right. The receptionist seemed to be pretty well versed in the Practice's policy, and had more interest in repeating what seemed like lines from a user manual than listening to me. So yes, I think a letter may be in order. Thanks again humanbean xxx

[Rapunzel in reply to Rhsana]

ico.org.uk/for-the-public/h...

you may find that your practice is shortly to migrate to web based records look here

patient.emisaccess.co.uk

[Rhsana in reply to Rapunzel]

Thanks for those links! Sadly, they aren't going to be doing that anytime soon, we already have a patient 'portal' but all that can be seen is past prescriptions - its pretty useless. R x

[Rapunzel in reply to Rhsana]

nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/re... How to access your GP records...you should be able to do a d*mn sight more than check your previous scripts - query it with your practice manager if you don't feel you're getting anywhere

[Soreknees2016]

I was told I couldn't have my records emailed because of data protection issues, whatever that means, but I suspect it's the fear of it being sent to the wrong person.

Can they not post them to you? They can always mark them 'private and confidential' and 'to be opened by addressee only' - this is standard practice for organisations dealing in confidential information.

[Rhsana in reply to Soreknees2016]

Yes But I need to send them a stamped address envelope first.