Your Medical Records
The NHS is launching a controversial new scheme this year, intending to upload its entire patient database to a central electronic system called ‘Spine’. Patients will be offered the chance to opt-out of the database, although ministers are hoping that to put an end to prehistoric paper systems. The new system will make your medical records available to thousands of medical staff.
Why the controversy? Well, the Information Commissioner last year stated that more than 300 journalists had obtained private information from government records – due to poor security and insignificant penalties. Campaigners are concerned that the government will not put enough security in place, and the privacy of around 50 million patients could be undermined. They’re also concerned about errors in patient records, after a local councillor discovered that she had been labelled an alcoholic – a simple typing mistake.
Image and Photo Use Rights Checker (UK)
Someone has used your photo (or your child's) on a website, social media or marketing and you are not sure what your rights are. Answer a few questions and we will explain the position and what to do.
Try our Image and Photo Use Rights Checker (UK) free, here on this site →Who can View my Medical Records?
The main benefit of the new NHS database is that it will enable paramedics and hospital staff to access your medical information in an emergency. This is thought to be especially beneficial for the elderly, who may not have close family on-hand.
Other people can view your records, too. Insurers can view your medical records if you’re applying for Critical Illness insurance – if they contain something you haven’t disclosed, your policy could be void. The police can apply for a court order to get access to your medical records if they have due cause to do so. If information on your medical records is believed to be important to the general public’s safety, then a court will give permission.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Medical Records - Your Rights
Patients have a right to see all records held on them (Data Protection Act, 1998). However, medical professionals are entitled to withhold your medical records if:
- They contain information that might cause harm to you
- They contain information about a third party (this can be removed)
- You are applying for someone else’s records (unless you have a letter of consent).
Your medical records are held at your GP’s surgery, which will usually allow you to read them if you ask politely. If there is a problem then you can make an official request in writing, which your surgery or hospital is obliged to answer within 40 days. And if there is a further problem with this, you can complain – first to the NHS (ask for their complaint leaflet), then to the Health Ombudsman, and finally to the Information Commissioner.
When the ‘Spine’ system is rolled out across the UK, patients will receive written notification. You will be given eight weeks to respond to the letter. You can take one of four actions:
- Permit your records to be uploaded (there is no need to write).
- Object to the uploading of your records.
- Place restrictions on the people who are able to view them (i.e. GPs and nurses).
- Place restrictions on the information which is uploaded (i.e. you can ask for details such as abortion or HIV tests to be removed).
I called my doctors to make an appointment in which they told me I am no longer registered there. I had no idea why and then they told me on the 6th of august someone requested for my records. In which they asked have I tried to register with another doctors elsewhere. I said no as I haven’t needed to go to doctors until now.
I’m concerned they’ve closed my account and passed on my details to someone unknown without my consent / signature.
What do i do?
resolved satisfactorily. Forget financial compensation unless it is life threatening. You
will also find weeks go by without hearing from the Caseworker or Case Officer
and when you do make an enquiry, your complaint is turned down. If you submit evidence
in support of what you say you usually find nothing is said about it in the decision letter.
If you resubmit because you have further and better particulars you could find your complaints are intercepted by the same person who rejected your earlier complaint thus removing your rights under statutory legislation. It is a criminal offence to alter and falsify medical records but somehow a GP is able to ingratiate themselves to the Caseworker or Case Officer. How can anyone justify a reply that the GP didn't alter and didn't remove historic records in defence of having rewritten the patients records entirely? It happens and NHS patients need to know what their position is.
For those who are able to see my details, please feel free to contact me to validate what
I have said.
I've had a med restriction put on me without my knowledge . Is this legal can I find out who and why
Maybe one day we'll do away with creapy doctors & & all their routine lying colusion & coverup & replace them with expert systems which are already outperforming them
Ask Your Privacy a question
Ask our editorial team a question and we will reply with our advice. Tell us as much about your situation as you can: the more detail you give, the more useful our answer can be.
You do not need to use your real name. Please do not include your full address, phone number, email address, or the names of other people. We may edit or remove identifying details for privacy and legal reasons.
Comments are moderated before publication.