The Doctors & Staff of this surgery are legally bound under the Access to Medical Records Act 1990 & The Data Protection Act 1998, which do not allow information from a patient’s medical records to be given to a third party without the patient’s written consent to do so.
We are therefore unable to give test results or any other information to anyone other than the patient themselves. This applies to Husbands, Wives, Partners or Parents unless for a child (defined as under 16 years of age, although this could be withheld at the Doctor’s discretion for reasons of confidentiality).
Although the law does not prevent a Doctor from informally showing a patient their records or discussing relevant health issues with them. Patients wishing to fully view their medical records should make an application in writing to The Practice stating the reason for the request. Medical records MUST be viewed in the presence of a G.P. to allow for the explanation of any medical terminology.
GDPR changes to Subject Access Requests and fees from 25 May 2018
The General Data Protection Regulations and the Data Protection Act 2018 replaced the Data Protection Act 1998 on 25 May 2018, bringing in widespread changes to UK data protection legislation. For GPs the act brings in a number of changes, specifically the charges that were in place for undertaking Subject Access Requests.
Since 25 May, in most cases, patients must be given access to their medical records as a Subject Access Request (SAR) free of charge, including when a patient authorises access by a third party such as a solicitor.
If you request a copy of your medical records please allow 28 days for this to be completed
Please download, complete the Subject to Access Request form and return it to the surgery (DOCX, 27KB)