Speechless access SAR

[Sharcott]

That Dr Surgerys are charging to view paper records mine want £30 just to view, its free to view records and should be in a format that is easy to understand, so may need explaining, for this I have been told I would have to make a private consultation with my Dr at a cost of £30 for each 10 minutes. Was it not bad enough that I was not told about a record of a blood test that showed my Total T4 was down to 11 should have been 50-150 and this was written up as borderline (totally negligence)

[spongecat]

I really hate this.

They need to realise that yes, some might need to be guided what the notes mean but they should also realise that some of us are not stupid or may have some knowledge of what all the terminolgy is (shockingly basic in some GP notes, trust me!) in medical note taking some of which can be in Latin abbreviations in some cases. I'm also aware that there are many acronyms, some of which may be offensive to the patient and they will need to be redacted if the patient says, "But what does that mean?".

We used to use acronyms aplenty in the veterinary world to describe either the owner or pet and not necessarily medical terms *cough* usually for the safety of our colleagues!

[Sharcott in reply to spongecat]

They can't charge for viewing notes and can't charge for explaing what something means and this is scary that patients are being deinied freedom of infomation to their own property (their medical Notes) This also is preventing people making informed choices towards their health and well being

[shaws Administrator]

Ask just to view your results and take a photo on your mobile. Surely they cannot refuse this after all we are entitled by Law (in UK) to get copies of our records. My surgery charges 30p a page.

What is the legal criteria of getting our own blood test results?

[Sharcott in reply to shaws]

They want £30 I was told on the phone to view and its free to view your records

[shaws Administrator in reply to Sharcott]

I think you should have a word with you local MP. This is from a past post:

Thyroid UK always suggests that people keep a note of their test results so that they can see the full picture of their thyroid health. The NHS Constitution contains a right for patients to access their health records, which is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998.

“You have the right of access to your own health records. These will always be used to manage your treatment in your best interests” paper medical record store.

Some people can access their medical records online now and the plan is to make all medical records available online in the future. However, if this option is not available to you, you may need to ask your doctor for access to your medical records to get copies of your test results.

You can simply ask your doctor, during a consultation, to view your records and write them down or ask for a copy of your results and, in most cases, doctors are willing to allow this without any problem and free of charge. Alternatively, you can telephone your GP surgery or hospital to arrange a time to see your records and then you can make a note of your results. There may be a fee to access your health records (see below). However, sometimes, doctor’s receptionists or the doctors themselves are not very helpful in this respect.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/NHS_In...

[Sharcott in reply to shaws]

I have emailed them with my SAR request to only view my files and sent this link which they have chosen to ignore ico.org.uk/media/for-organi...

They have sent me forms to fill in and this is not a requirement under SAR along with charges, lets just say I need peeling of the ceiling. I do have access to recent blood rests on line but not notes, I have asked for notes as well, had no reply to this. I am hoping to sort this without getting a third party involved.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Sharcott]

It is aggravating and stressful - which none of us need especially when it is completely unnecessary.

[Sharcott in reply to shaws]

I am waiting for a reply from the practice, I am hoping they read the SAR guidelines I have now semt twice, of course I should not have to do this !!

[Clutter in reply to Sharcott]

Sharcott,

I don't think they can charge you more than a nominal fee to cover the cost of printer ink and paper, say 50p a sheet. Contact the ICO for assistance ico.org.uk/for_the_public/p...

[Sharcott in reply to Clutter]

I only want to view them and there is so charge for viewing, they have to offer this as a choice when people ask for copies

[Clutter in reply to Sharcott]

Sharcott,

Then what is the £30 fee for?

[Sharcott in reply to Clutter]

For them to stand with me whist I read them and if I dont understand anything I have to have a private consultation at £30 for each 10 minutes.

[Clutter in reply to Sharcott]

Sharcott,

Viewing should be free. If you are paying £30 for a chaperone it is not free. As I said, contact ICO for assistance.

[Sharcott in reply to Clutter]

Thank you, I have spoken to NHS England but will contact ICO tomorrow (NHS England put showed me the ICO page )

[Sharcott in reply to Clutter]

In my opinion this is putting a block on people having freedom of information

[Clutter in reply to Sharcott]

Sharcott,

I refused to pay £10 practice manager demanded for 4 pages of results. I arranged an appointment to view the results and there was no mention of a charge. I had to see GP who said it was a ridiculous waste of admin staff time to 'chaperone' me and he printed off the results I had requested.

[Sharcott in reply to Clutter]

I had that blood test from 2001 that showed my total T4 was 11 when it should have been 50-150 the girl on the desk said written on it was borderline (I was always told my tests were nothing to worry about) Maybe charging will put me off (NOT)

[Rennixon]

Hi Sharcott

This is outrageous they cannot charge you for looking! If you want a print out, then yes they can ask for a fee but I believe only upto £50. My surgery charged £10 for a printed copy of records upto the point they were ‘computerised ‘ All surgeries should have (or be working towards) having access to health records & test results etc on line. Mine have only recently done this, but it’s free & I can look at anything.

Look on the nhs site for your area & see what surgeries offer these services. You may like to switch surgeries or point out others do it.

[Sharcott in reply to Rennixon]

I have just switched after 30 + years with the last one. £30 private consultation each 10 minutes to if there is something I don't understand and this is in writing !! Just my opion but it feels like they are trying to put a block on me accessing my medical records, I have already told them my financial situation and they add more charges, (which they can not do) seriously worrying

[Hidden in reply to Sharcott]

Sharcott Have they given you a copy of their charges or are they making it up as they go along? Could be worth speaking to the Patients Association or the Care Quality Commission.

[Sharcott in reply to Hidden]

I have spoken to NHS England, they said they can not charge to view and I think they chocked when I read out about the £30 for 10 minutes private consultation to have anything explained, this is on top of the £30 to view. They have outstanding from the Care Quality Commission so may be worth running it by them though thanks

[Hidden in reply to Sharcott]

Sharcott well done for speaking to NHS England, is it the Practice Manager who's coming up with these figures?

CQC were very good when I phoned them years ago, they did listen.

Good luck with fighting this and do keep us updated.

[Sharcott in reply to Hidden]

The Patient Services Manager I have asked to meet Face to Face and I will try and take some one with me. They can not put a block on people access to their medical records

Will update hopefully with useful information for everyone

[Clutter in reply to Sharcott]

Sharcott,

Somewhere in the ICO info is a note stating that practices may not use charging patients for test results as a revenue stream.

[Sharcott in reply to Clutter]

They say its fees for being with me whilst I look at the notes

[Clutter in reply to Sharcott]

Sharcott,

Effectively saying patients with no money are not entitled to their results and notes? I don't think so. Contact the ICO. The practice manager is a chancer.

[Sharcott in reply to Clutter]

We are all intitled to see our medical notes, if you have to pay, how can it be freedom of information if you have to pay, if people can't afford to pay for hard copies and need them, they may be on dodgy ground refusing them.

[Clutter in reply to Sharcott]

Sharcott,

We're entitled to recent test results (within 40 days of test). If older records are required or entire medical history then practices can charge up to £50 for photocopying it. Otherwise access should be made for patient to view onscreen and make their own notes.

[Sharcott in reply to Clutter]

I guess they don't want to make it easy, but what they are doing is not good practice. I may only be in there 10 minutes and I know people who could look over anything I don't understand.

[Clutter in reply to Sharcott]

Sharcott,

I reckon it is your practice manager being a pain the butt and trying to drum up a little revenue at the same time.

[Sharcott in reply to Clutter]

Think you may be right

[Hidden]

Taken from NHS uk website hope this helps to explain things

Online access to your GP records is free of charge.

However, charges may apply if you wish to see the originals or get physical copies or your health records.

The Data Protection Act (DPA) covers personal information, including health records. It gives you the right to see your records by requesting a permanent copy, also known as a subject access request (SAR). More details about this can be found on the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) website.

No fee is charged to see your records but if you wish to take a copy away you may be charged. The charge will vary, depending on how the information is stored. The maximum charges are:

£10 for records that are only held electronically

up to £50 for those records that are not available in electronic form or only partially available in electronic form

By law, you're entitled to receive a response no later than 40 days after your application is received, your identity is checked and any relevant fee has been paid. You will then receive an appointment to see your records.

If you have asked to see a copy of your records, they should be written out in a form that you can understand. This means that abbreviations and complicated medical terms should be explained. If you still do not understand any part of the record, the health professional who is holding the record should explain it to you. You can also read the ICO's Subject Access code of practice guidance (PDF, 897kb) for more information.

What happens?

After you have made your request in writing (this includes email) to the data controller at the NHS organisation where your records are held – for example, the hospital that treated you, or your GP surgery – you will receive an appointment to see your records.

If you have asked to see a copy of your records, they should be written out in a way you can understand. This means that abbreviations and complicated medical terms should be explained. If you still don’t understand any part of the record, the health professional who is holding the record should explain it to you

Read the answers to more questions about NHS services and treatments.

Further information:

How do I access my medical records (health records)?

Can I access someone else’s medical records (health records)?

How long should medical records (health records) be kept for?

Do I have to tell my employer about my medical history?

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About the NHS: health records

NHS England: How do I request information held about me?

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Page last reviewed: 14/12/2015

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[Sharcott in reply to Hidden]

Yes I have even sent them this link

ico.org.uk/media/for-organi...

they are still sending emails asking for forms to be filled in (after I have already sent a SAR request by email), costs to just view my records £30 and £30 for each 10 minutes If I dont understand any part of the record, they will only help me by way off a private consultation works out £180 an hour