Since joining a new medical practice, I've had great difficulty trying to get copies of blood results. I recently found out that my friend had full access to all his medical records, test results, letters and medication prescribed just by logging into his patient access account.
So I requested to join at my practice. There was a fairly awkward initial talk with the receptionist as to why I wanted to have patient access. I had to supply a photo ID so I brought my passport and driving licence. I then got issued with instructions and codes which I had to input on my computer at home.
When I finally got set up, I discovered that my practice only supplies the prescription record online. When I asked about this I found out the practice does not give out any other medical data online. You have to get permission from the doctor - WHY?
It is so frustrating to not be able to get a copy of blood results easily. In the NHS website for patient access online, it lists all these medical records that should be available to those who have registered.
Is my practice wrong to deny access online to certain records? Your answers would be welcome.
Written by
SusanKidd
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Hi, I'm sorry I haven't any personal experience here. However DJR1 has posted extensively about this in the past. Here's a link to one post to get you started
Like your friend, I have full acccess to my medical records, nclding referrals in and out. At our surgery this has happened incrementally.
Initially, I had access to make appointments and request repeat prescriptions, then later, my coded record, which records each consultation outcome, and any actions prescribed, but no freehand notes or documents, then recently my full record.
When I was given access to my full record, I only got the last 2 years, and had to request the balance of my lifetime, again in writing. That last bit just seemed a total nonsense, as I had had lifetime of the coded record, without any fuss.
If there's hoop jumping to be done, it's worthwhile if you can get to the end game.
I have patient access for repeat prescription but if I want to view blood tests etc I have to complete a form and then the dr will decide if I can have access🙄 Surely it would make sense and save time if we can see the results rather than have to ring up, be told they are normal 🙄, and then ask for a printout.
It is illegal for them to require a form or any other special or specific method of submitting a request. The Information Commissioner's Office is crystal clear on that.
Why is the practice so defensive? My practice happily let's me access all results and historical records, doctors comments and letters. Your practice isn't doing you an extra special favour this kind of access is supposed to be routine.
Michael
Letter template from the information commissioner
[Your full address]
[Phone number]
[The date]
[Name and address of the organisation]
Dear Sir or Madam
Subject access request
[Your full name and address and any other details to help identify you and the data you want.]
Please supply the data about me that I am entitled to under data protection law relating to: [give specific details of the data you want, for example:
my personnel file
emails between ‘person A’ and ‘person B’ (from 1 June 2017 to 1 Sept 2017)
my medical records (between 2014 and 2017) held by ‘Dr C’ at ‘hospital D’
CCTV camera situated at (‘location E’) on 23 May 2017 between 11am and 5pm
copies of statements (between 2013 and 2017) held in account number xxxxx.]
If you need any more data from me, or a fee, please let me know as soon as possible. It may be helpful for you to know that data protection law requires you to respond to a request for data within one calendar month.
If you do not normally deal with these requests, please pass this letter to your DataProtection Officer, or relevant staff member. If you need advice on dealing with this request, the Information Commissioner’s Office can assist you. Its website is ico.org.uk or it can be contacted on 0303 123 1113.
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Patient access - medical record access removed
Access to historical medical records
