HOW TO ACCESS YOUR HEALTH RECORD

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) patients may request to access their medical records.  Requests are to be made in writing to the Practice Manager.  No information will be released without consent unless we are obliged to do so. 

This information sets out your legal right to see your health records, and any medical reports made about you for an insurance company or an employer.

However, it does not give a full explanation of the law. If it does not answer all your questions, you can get more detailed guidance from The Patient Client Council about your rights as a patient in general

GP Practice staff will keep personal information about your health strictly confidential.

Our Data Protection Officer is Mr Alex Larmour, Practice Manager

The Practice is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation.  The Practice adheres to the GDPR regarding patient confidentiality, sharing of information and access to information.  It may be necessary for us to share identifiable information about you with other healthcare professionals in certain circumstances, for further information speak to the Practice Manager.  

For further information on data protection please see our privacy policy below.

Practice Privacy Policy

filesHealth records

A health record is any record, whether on computer or paper, which includes information about your physical or mental health or condition, and is made by, or for, a health professional involved in your care. So it includes your clinical notes, letters to and from other health professionals, x-rays, results of laboratory tests and MRI scans.

A health professional includes

  • GPs
  • Health visitors
  • dieticians
  • podiatrists
  • Clinical Psychologists
  • midwives
  • hospital doctors
  • nurses
  • physiotherapists
  • dentists
  • occupational therapists 

The GPs and staff in Ashley Medical Centre are responsible for the care and security of this information.

 

Who can apply for Access to Health Records?

Any person registered with Ashley Medical Centre for whom Ashley Medical Centre holds current records.. Someone else may apply for you if:

  • you have agreed to this (signed witnessed consent required);
  • you are under 16, and the other person has parental responsibility, or
  • you are an adult, and are not able to look after your own affairs and you have given that person a power of attorney, or if he or she has been appointed by the courts.

What can I see?

You are entitled to see your record with the supervision of a GP and get a copy. The GP will tell you where the information has come from, and who has access to it. You may receive the information as a computer printout, in a letter, or on a form. It should be easy to understand, and any abbreviations, codes or jargon should be explained.

Some information on your record may be withheld from you. This includes information that:

  • could cause serious harm to your, or someone else's, physical or mental health;
  • could identify someone else, unless that person gives their permission; or
  • is legally sensitive, for example, a pre-adoption report, or a report to a children’s panel.

The GP does not have to tell you if information has been withheld. If you suspect that information has been withheld without a good reason, you should contact the Patient & Client Council, 1st Floor, Lesley House, 25-27 Wellington Place Belfast.

Corrections

If any information about you is incorrect or misleading, you are entitled to have it corrected or removed. If the GP agrees with you, it must be corrected. If the GP refuses your request to amend your record, you can ask the Information Commissioner (see the end of this leaflet) to consider whether inaccurate information can be corrected or removed.

Freedom of Information

Information about the General Practitioners 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

 
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