Today I’ve rang the doctor surgery for the third time requesting my blood test results from the beginning of the year not only have I got a thyroid blood test but I have other blood tests as well that I like to keep a check on today I’ve asked several times why I want my blood test results do I know how to read them what do I plan on doing with them so I said that I want them for my own reference I am not doing anything else with them I am not taking them anywhere else I just want them for my own records well I must’ve been on that phone for at least 10 minutes going over the same sex story repeating myself over and over until I finally said what is wrong contact requests my blood test results anymore is there something illegal about requesting your blood test results has a new law come into force which states you cannot request your blood test results anymore what is the problem??
Your surgery is being difficult. Nothing has changed. It's still your legal right to have your results under the Data Protection Act and they must comply and provide them within 30 days.
In your position, as you are having such a problem, I would make an official Subject Access Request and they can't ignore that.
It’s the receptionist not the doctors Ive rang before requesting them I get the 3rd degree for such a simple request . I didn’t think anything had changed thought it was your legal right to request your own blood work .
Good to know you still can and I will follow your instruction 😊👍🏻
I’ve downloaded the app but I cannot see my medical records , neither can I access my test results the only visible info I can access is my repeat prescription list . I downloaded it when they made it available
Not every surgery offers online access to results although I believe it should be available in England. You may have to go into the surgery with some ID and arrange for access if they offer it. My surgery in Wales doesn't offer anything online.
This might be suitable for you and give a copy to the surgery as you will want to contact them in the future.:-
GP records
GP records include information about your medicine, allergies, vaccinations, previous illnesses and test results, hospital discharge summaries, appointment letters and referral letters.
You can access your GP records, and nominate someone you trust to access them, through GP online services.
In my view, it is actually wrong for them to ask why you want your results.
What business is it of theirs? What are they going to do with the information? (Which is intended to illustrate how silly it is them asking.) The data protection registrar's office expressly say there is no need to explain why you want them.
This is from an out-of-date document but is as valid now as it was when the document was written:
Requesters do not have to tell you their reason for making the request or what they intend to do with the information requested, although it may help you to find the relevant information if they do explain the purpose of the request.
Well said , I felt very uncomfortable when the receptionist was asking why I wanted them , what I intended doing with them . I don’t intend doing anything with them other than keeping for my own info. She even asked if I understand them
Which could be patronising or genuine concern. How about: "At least as much as you do. And for anything else, I know someone who does!" [Not serious - not worth upsetting them.]
The data protection regulations in the UK require people NOT to collect information they do not need.
If they ask you why, and then they do anything with that information, they should have told you before asking.
If they ask, and then don't do anything with that information, they should not have asked you in the first place.
I agree with you as it is 'our' business and if we do not understand something they should explain it to us. I think they might be a bit worried and may suspect that we're going to get them into 'trouble' of some sort. Oh, if only we could complain at times especially when what they may say to us is a bit stupid.
I always get mine. I say for my records as these days we must be responsible for our health or I say I want to take them on holiday with me (pre 2020). I have heard on this site we are legally entitled to them. I picked up something GP missed do it’s importsnt to get them. Drop a written note to surgery even enclosing self addressed and stamped envelope.
I can only say write a note to the Dr then it is down on paper. Going away which they don’t know if you are planning or not one needs to have latest results shud one need to visit a Dr while away. Keep on asking.
Speak to the practice manager, and ask her to comply with the law. Tell her you will be calling in on Monday and will expect to get the print out of the results then and there. Keep your voice quiet and low so they have to listen
I have been asked why I want them, and just say "because they are mine". Once when I phoned for them, I got "oh, you are that one"! Yes, I said, I am that one. You can be that one too!
I find online results are incomplete as compared to the original print out so I would definitely go for getting your results on a paper copy. I too have had to justify to one person I didn’t receive the print out the first time (if it was even posted) so had to request again - this time collected from surgery so it couldn’t be ‘lost’. As everyone else is said don’t be fobbed off they are yours no need to negotiate 😊👍
As wiser ones than me have suggested . "keep calm , stay put, and carry on asking" ... it's not a negotiation ... they are yours, and you can have them if you want them provided the GP has seen them first....and once it becomes apparent you are sure of your facts on this issue they usually cave in, most of them are only like this because they are not sure if they are allowed to give them out , so they're scared of getting into trouble....but of course there will always be some who enjoy the authority they think their job gives them, a little too much... .
May be best to avoid following the way i did it initially tho' ... i asked my doctor if i could have my historic results...... he said sheepishly "do you mind if i ask why?"..... i lost my cool and said "because i wondered if anybody else was paying any bloody attention"......oops.
But as for a receptionist asking 'if you understand them'....... i bet you can understand them a darn sight better than she does ... i've once got results down the phone from a receptionist who had difficulty grasping the concept of the decimal point..
Yes. You can make a subject access request verbally, but we recommend you put it in writing if possible because this gives you a record of your request.
If you are making a verbal request, try to:
use straightforward, polite language;
focus the conversation on your subject access request;
discuss the reason for your request, if this is appropriate – work with them to identify the type of information you need and where it can be found;
ask them to make written notes – especially if you are asking for very specific information;
and
check their understanding – ask them to briefly summarise your request and inform them if anything is incorrect or missing before finishing the conversation.
You don't have to tell anybody at the surgery why you want your results. but it may help then to look for your results if you do. However, all the surgery needs is your name and a description of the information needed to look your latest test results up on their computer systems.
To strengthen the point about not having to put your SAR in writing, Regulation 13 of The Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 states “a complaint may be made orally”
I know it's about a complaint, but it reinforces the notion that you don't have to make a SAR in writing. The surgery should simply supply you with your test results when you ask for them.
i have problems with the receptionists at my surgery. Some are overbearing and irritated that patients enter the surgery.
The best way to avoid them when necessary is to get one the health apps that you can book appointments with and you can see your tests results with. My surgery uses Airmid UK. I can also order repeat prescriptions without going through the receptionists.
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[Not serious - not worth upsetting them.]
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