Genealogy Chat

Margaret - Just googled and found this info which may be helpful .

How to access your records
Your doctor's surgery holds your medical records while a hospital holds records of any treatment you have had there. You have the right to view these under the Data Protection Act 1998. You can simply ask your GP, surgery staff or health authority, if you can inspect your medical records. Check with them, but there is usually a charge (see 'How much it will cost' below) and you may be asked for proof of identity.

However, it is recommended that you apply for access in writing by sending a letter by recorded delivery, including any payment and the required proof of identity. You should receive a response no later than 21 days after your application was received, although by law (according to the Data Protection Act) the hospital or surgery has 40 days to respond to a request in writing.

If the records are held at a hospital, you should address the letter to your hospital Patients Services Manager or Medical Records Officer.

Your records, when presented to you, should be in a format that you understand.

More about accessing your medical records (opens new window)
If access to records is denied
You will not be allowed access to your records:

if healthcare professionals believe that information in the records is likely to cause serious harm to the patient or another person
details about third parties are included in the records - these may be removed
However, if you are denied access you can approach the Information Commissioner's Office if you think the organisation has breached the Data Protection Act.

Visit the Information Commissioner's Office website (opens new window)
How much will it cost?
It will cost you:

£10 for information held in a computerised format
up to £50 for manual records
Accessing someone else's records
If you are applying for medical records on behalf of someone else, you will need their consent or a power of attorney.

Managing your affairs and enduring power of attorney (over 50s section)
Getting more information
The Patients Association has produced a booklet called 'How to obtain access to your medical records' which you may find helpful. It takes you through the necessary steps and includes examples of the kind of letter you will need to send to gain formal access


Di

Thanks, Faith.

M. Steer

Margaret
I wrote to the hospital with the details of my mother in law, name, DOB and address. I then asked for access to her medical records (hospital notes) stating why I needed them. Once I was given access I had to specify what dates I wanted copying and a date was given when they would be ready. I didn't pay until I had confirmation of how mant pages etc. I had about 102 pages including blood and biopsy results. Please quote 'access to Medical records' legislation when making your request and give them us much detail about your family member as possible.
If it's GP records the same should still apply.
Hope this helps
Di

Faith, how did you get your Mother in Law's records?
Where did you start?

M. Steer

Margaret
I managed to obtain my mother in laws medical records in 1995 just after her death as I wanted to pursue a GP negligence case. I had to pay a cost per page of photocopying and I think it was £20 standard cost.
I think there is a rule about Data protection pre a certain date as I could only have the notes for that admission.
Di
Can I add that this was in England too

Shirley & Linda, thanks.

I'm talking about 5 yrs. ago in England.

M. Steer

In 1999 I got hold of a copy my moms records and I still have them

Claire, I appreciate 'confidentiality'. Who is the confidentiality for - the patient or the Doctor?

What if the Doctor made a 'cock- up'?

M. Steer

well there are 75 and 100 year confidentiality rules Plus lots of records weren't kept more than 10 years so i was told when looking for hospital records of 1907.

Shirley

Has anyone ever tried to access the Medical Records of a recently 'departed' relative?

M. Steer