Do private GPs have access to your medical records?

[Sarah030609]

I would think so but I can't find any info online so any advice much appreciated.

Furthermore, I've realised I have private healthcare through my job but it was something my employer kept on the hush and we weren't given links to sign up initially.

I've had symptoms of this condition for 4 months which the docs have written off as anxiety (spoiler alert - it isn't).

BUPA only treat those with no pre-existing conditions or pre-showing symptoms.

I feel I'm in a double-bind here because these symptoms the GPs have written off as all in my head - but there will be a record of them.

So for NHS purposes - they aren't real. For BUPA - they are.

Is this the case or does anybody think that I could work around this?

Thanks so much in advance!

[MaisieGray]

No, private GPs do not have access to your NHS or any other records held about you. Data protection laws require that data held about you is securely held, and is not freely released to third parties (obviously there may be legal situations where say, the Courts could force its release). Insurance companies are however, also protected in law, against fraudulant claimants, and hence why those taking out policies are required to sign that they have provided information honestly and fully, to the best of their ability, or words to that effect. Any witholding or misrepresenting of information may have the effect of invalidating the policy and/or nullifying any subsequent claim based on that information, which could then put you on an insurance "black list" for future insurance . What you declare or not, is therefore between you and your conscience, and the law .......

[overnighthearingloss]

Many private doctors also work within the NHS. They may not be able to access your records from outside of the NHS but if you later want to continue with them within the NHS they will have access to NHS records

[MaisieGray in reply to overnighthearingloss]

If an NHS-contracted Dr has access to an NHS patient's records, but is also contracted to work on a private basis say, on behalf of an insurance company or its designated hospital for instance, they cannot lawfully share that information with, and for the benefit of that third party, beyond the NHS. They might report their allegations of wrong-doing to initiate a legal investigation but cannot freely disclose the detail. The Information Commissioner’s Office issued a reminder to NHS staff about the potentially serious consequences of prying into patients’ medical records without a valid NHS reason to do so, as a result of a midwifery assistant looking into a number of patients' records and sharing some of the info so gleaned, with a third party. The person involved was fined heavily.

[Saya85]

You're symptoms if recent are not a pre-existing condition

That only relates to health conditions that were diagnosed BEFORE your policy was initiated

(To avoid people being diagnosed and taking out a policy to cover them after. Same with car insurance after you've crashed or home insurance after somethings damaged )

You can check the fine print on your policy but that is usually what they are referring to

If you also have not had a diagnosis from.GP and anxiety isn't it then that wouldn't disqualify you either

All in all you should be good to go

If you have new symptoms that GP hasn't been informed of either then even more reason to request a private consultation

And yes private doctors dont have automatic access to your records