Access to Medical Records

 

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records.

Subject Access Request (SAR) to medical records

SARs are predominantly used for access to, and the provision of, copies of medical records. This type of request need not always be in writing (e.g., letter, e-mail).

When a data subject (individual) wishes to access their data, they are to complete the subject access request (SAR) form which can be obtained from reception.

Requests may be received from the following:

  • Competent patients
  • Children and young people
  • Parents
  • Individuals with a responsibility for adults who lack capacity
  • Police
  • Court representatives
  • Home Office
  • Patient representatives/solicitors
  • Requests for insurance medical reports

All applications for SARs will require formal identification through two forms of ID, one of which must contain a photo. Acceptable documents include passports, photo driving licences and bank statements but not bills.

We have 30 days to respond to Subject Access Requests.

Only if the SAR is ‘manifestly unfounded’ or ‘excessive’ can a ‘reasonable’ fee be charged although the circumstances when a fee can be charged are rare and should be on a case-by-case basis.

Firearms

Our GPs do NOT complete firearms requests.

We do not provide the private service of completing firearms medical reports for the Police but we can provide your full medical records to a Private GP of your choice. If you search the internet you will find a number of private doctors that do provide this service. Although we do not personally know a particular company and therefore cannot make specific recommendations, a number of our patients have used the following to provide a medical report for shotgun/firearms licence application purposes:

Your full medical records must be sent directly from us to the private doctor to enable them to complete your report, it can take up to 30 days to process records request.. Currently there is no charge for supplying your medical records to the private doctor.

If you would to see our full policy please contact us

Freedom of Information

Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.