This guide has a wealth of information about record access but remember there has been a further update as from April 2020 access to historical records must be given on request. Prospective access is automatic. All this is subject to the usual safeguarding requirements.
Do not be fobbed off with staff saying it cannot be done/given
Written by
DJR1
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Patient Access is EMIS Web so fully functional. I use a Patient Access account and have historic and prospective access, test results, medication and letters/documents.
I have just applied to see my Endocrinologist's records about me from 10 years ago. They emailed me a form which I filled in and then I returned it with a copy of my passport as proof of identity. Do you have any idea how long it will take before I can see them? I already have Patient Access with my GP surgery.
Yes I thought that was the case so I contacted the trust I was under when I saw my rubbish Endocrinologist. I think they might have mysteriously disappeared unfortunately because I did walk out on him when he offered me counselling. I actually have worked in medical records in the past and know that some doctors will "lose" records but I hope this isn't the case with me.
The clinic letters from the Endocrinologist to the GP should be available in your historical GP record if the hospital trust are difficult about their records. Remember you do have to ask for historical digital access on your GP record.
However the actual hospital record should be made available and persistence is the name of the game sometimes. Good luck
I have my records in paper form, when we had to pay £50 to get them. I’ve not been all through them as I have to keep stopping to regain my equilibrium. I notice that some things have been redacted; is this allowable?
Yes patients records can be redacted to remove information about third parties and any information likely to cause harm to the patient.You can find out more here on page 16 here
Thank you, DJR1. Of course, as the information I redacted, one cannot make a judgement as to what the content was and if it is to protect derogatory comments made by a medic or, as in the link, something from a third party.
They have probably removed some personal remarks. When I worked for the NHS some of the comments I have seen about patients have been quite frankly insulting. As I have said before a GP I saw about 12 years ago put "delusional" on my records. He has retired and is now a councillor in my area and I happened to bump into him at social gathering last year. I asked him about the remark and he pretended not to remember me! My surgery refuses to remove the remark so I have given up asking now.
Yes there is a lot of judgement involved on what is considered acceptable or likely to cause harm. New guidance is being written in conjunction with NHS England on redaction to remove some of this personal opinion. I look forward to it being published.
The paternalism of the past is being eroded by transparency and openess-the days of GP writing totally subjective and personal comments are going with immediate access to consultation detail. It’s been a long time coming but there will be pockets of resistance, the key as patients is knowing our rights and what regulations regulations are in place. Challenging going forward with knowledge is important. The great advantages to record access for patients are the ability to check for errors, our right to rectification and the fact that records will not be “lost” as we all have our own copy. Misunderstandings can be cleared up as they arise and we will have a working record of our health management. One can but hope
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