Does anybody have a template of a letter to a GP to allow me to see my past blood results online?
I have an account via app and can book an appointment and request prescription, but when I try to access the results I get the message “this function is not yet available at your practice”.
I understand that they are supposed to allow me to see them and would like to write a letter/email asking for access, but don’t know where to start. A template would be great.
Ring receptionist and ask if this service is available. Many GP practices don't have it up and running
If not available just ask Receptionist for print out of ALL you blood test results, past and present. Say you will pick them up from reception middle of next week
Oh, I thought that they are supposed to have it available already... Thanks SlowDragon, I'll give them a call.
I found the receptionists had no idea, so I emailed the practice manager asking politely to give me access. I got a reply in a few days asking me to bring in ID. They had to ask a GP to check I was safe to have this access but it wasn't difficult.
Ok, thank you Carnation. Did you support your request with any rules, f.e. that they are supposed to give me access according to this or that?
Hi
Mine said something similar, anyway I went to the doctors and they said I needed more ID (they photocopied it) and then said they have to ask my allocated GP for permission.
Once that had been done I was able to access everything including my medical records notes. Interesting read.
I thought it was bizarre that I needed permission from the GP to see my own results, but as they didn't refuse I thought no point arguing with the receptionist.
Another thing, until your GP has seen your results you will not be able to access them. Blood results normally only take 2/3 days from taking them to putting them online for me.
Best Wishes
Peanut31
Thank you Peanut31, I’m not brave enough to do it face to face. They make faces and roll their eyes and make everything sound so hard to do. And I am just to darn tired to persist or argue. Last time they tired me out and I left with last test results only after requesting all records... 
I’m exactly the same! I only have limited access.
The Information Commissioner's Office is quite clear - you do NOT have to follow any particular format, or fill in a form. Indeed, all that is required is that they receive the message.
Just write what you want to get. If you want blood test results over the last five years, simply ask for that. Doing it in writing is simply to make sure there is evidence.
The information below is directed at organisations but what is says is straightforward. The GDPR is the overall requirement of the EU and it is implemented in the UK as the Data Protection Act 2018:
How do we recognise a request?
The GDPR does not specify how to make a valid request. Therefore, an individual can make a subject access request to you verbally or in writing. It can also be made to any part of your organisation (including by social media) and does not have to be to a specific person or contact point.
A request does not have to include the phrase 'subject access request' or Article 15 of the GDPR, as long as it is clear that the individual is asking for their own personal data.
This presents a challenge as any of your employees could receive a valid request. However, you have a legal responsibility to identify that an individual has made a request to you and handle it accordingly. Therefore you may need to consider which of your staff who regularly interact with individuals may need specific training to identify a request.
Additionally, it is good practice to have a policy for recording details of the requests you receive, particularly those made by telephone or in person. You may wish to check with the requester that you have understood their request, as this can help avoid later disputes about how you have interpreted the request. We also recommend that you keep a log of verbal requests.
Should we provide a specially designed form for individuals to make a subject access request?
Standard forms can make it easier both for you to recognise a subject access request and for the individual to include all the details you might need to locate the information they want.
Recital 59 of the GDPR recommends that organisations ‘provide means for requests to be made electronically, especially where personal data are processed by electronic means’. You should therefore consider designing a subject access form that individuals can complete and submit to you electronically.
However, even if you have a form, you should note that a subject access request is valid if it is submitted by any means, so you will still need to comply with any requests you receive in a letter, a standard email or verbally.
Therefore, although you may invite individuals to use a form, you must make it clear that it is not compulsory and do not try to use this as a way of extending the one month time limit for responding.
Hello moniacho. I have just done exactly what SlowDragon has advised above.
Like you I can renew meds and make appointments online so thought I'd be able to see my records online too, but been told they are still in paper form. I just asked receptionist for copies of them going back 20 years - and they are being sent for.
It was much easier than I expected 
best wishes j
I just phoned the surgery and asked for a print out of my latest results.
The receptionist was a bit officious and said it was dependant on the doctor permitting me to have them & if he did I could collect the next day.
I knew from here I am permitted to have them so just waited until the next day when I was given them with no problem.
Just follow the link from my response above. You will find this:
You cannot charge a fee to deal with a request in most circumstances.
Further down, there are exceptions but you need to read for yourself.
The ICO does not appear yet to have produced their full guidance to GDPR/DPA2018.
Was worth getting them as was just below range for T3 but was told everything was fine!!!
That’s scary! So glad we now have a legal right to our results!
Yes that’s another battle....
Medical records, surprises
Signing up for online medical records
Medical records
