Accessing your medical record
Your medical record holds information about you and your medical history, such as medical conditions, allergies and any medicines you may be taking. It also includes records from other NHS services such as the hospital, dentist or opticians, and will include letters, test results and appointment notes.
How to request access to your medical record
You can access your medical record with your NHS number on the NHS App, details of this can be found on the NHS website. You can also request them from the surgery.
If you are accessing medical details on behalf of someone else (proxy access), then you’ll need to be nominated as someone they can trust to access them. We will be able to help you with this if you pop into the practice in person.
The practice is registered and complies with the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018). Any request for access to notes by a patient, patient’s representative or outside body will be dealt with in accordance with the Act.
Who Can Request Access
All patients over 16 years: can request access to their own health record or can authorise someone to look at them on their behalf. Any child 16 years or above will need to give explicit consent to allow their medical records to be discussed with their parents.
For any child aged 11-16 years: their parent has “implied” consent to access their record. 11-16 year olds may request access to their own records and expressly request that their parents do not have access. We are bound to respect the child’s wishes if they are deemed mature and competent enough to make such a decision.
Children under 11 years old: Adults with parental responsibility for a child under the age of 11 may request access to their child’s record.
Patient representatives may request ‘proxy’ access to a medical record for a friend or family member who may need support. This requires written consent from the patient.
Court Representatives: Anyone appointed by the court to manage the affairs of a patient who can no longer do this for themselves.
Deceased Patients’ records can be accessed by a personal representative of the patient.
Changes To Your Health Record
We cannot make changes to historical entries in your medical record, however, if you believe something to be incorrect, please discuss this with your GP
Further Information
Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113