Accessing historic medical files- UK

[very_ginger]

So I keep thinking about how I was diagnosed & treated and it was such a long time ago I’m wondering if there’s anyway of me accessing all of my historic care and results?

I was thinking a Freedom of Information request yet I dunno if that’s possible without good reason or whether it being historic would cause too much work so it would be denied. Anybody done this?I just want to piece together some things. My GP practice don’t have patient access (yet they have provided printouts when requested) and to be honest I moved GPs a couple of years back due to poor service for thyroid care at my lifelong GPs so I don’t think they even have a full list of my history at my current one. Any ideas if this is even possible?

Thanks!

[Lalatoot]

Are you in Scotland as things are different there?

[very_ginger in reply to Lalatoot]

No I’m in England 🤪

[Billyboy2u]

When you move GPS all your records go with you. Although you’ve said you’ve not access yet. When you do you can view quite a way back. It depends on how well your record keeping was. Especially if it was eligible.

I can go back 22 years reading my files. I had access but it seemed limited so on an appointment with my GP I asked about it. He asked why I needed it. I said I liked to look back see if anything comes up again.

After that I had full access.

[very_ginger in reply to Billyboy2u]

Yes my files weren’t sent over apparently as they didn’t even have knowledge I had pre existing conditions when I registered 🤷🏼‍♀️ my GPs haven’t got patient access set up yet so I can only request paper copies which is frustrating. I am going to ring them & discuss it. Will email the hospital I was seen at re: Endo care

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to very_ginger]

Does the practice has any sort of online service requiring registration? When you join it often states full access “not available” or “not offered”. It’s rather misleading but you can request it via the settings. The practice has 28 days to process it. If in England they are contractually obliged to provide access.

[very_ginger in reply to PurpleNails]

It does and its online booking spots only asked the GP last time I spoke about bloods and he printed it off and advised they don’t have the full access set up ‘yet’. I’ll give them a call this week and ask how I can get all historic bloods

[Billyboy2u in reply to very_ginger]

Good luck

[very_ginger in reply to Billyboy2u]

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

very_ginger

ThyroidUK's main website has an article about accessing your medical records here:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

and there is a link to click on which takes you to the NHS website

"Read more about accessing your health records"

There is also this from the NHS about making a Subject Access Request:

digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-di...

and this:

nhsx.nhs.uk/information-gov...

[very_ginger in reply to SeasideSusie]

I did not think to look there 😂😂🤪🤪. Thank you! So helpful.

[siddooo1]

Hi

I recently requested full access to my medical records. I just emailed the practice and they replied asking if I wanted paper or online copy and to fill in/sign a form. I think it takes about 6 weeks for it to be sorted.

If your practice doesn't have patient access you can request a paper copy.

[very_ginger in reply to siddooo1]

Oh this is great, I will ask them. Good to know you can get the full history

[SlowDragon Administrator]

DJR1 has specialist knowledge on how to get your medical records

healthunlocked.com/user/DJR1

[very_ginger in reply to SlowDragon]

Handy to know! Will have a good read now 👌🏻

[serenfach]

I found when accessing my records that I had to do two requests, one for the GP and one for the hospital as they did not seem to share any documents or charts. So if you want your full medical history, you may have to do the same.

[very_ginger in reply to serenfach]

Thank you, I have done this thank you x

[Persevere99]

Hi very ginger

Were you successful in getting the info you wanted?

How long did it take?

Has it helped?

Thanks

Persevere