By Eddie Jones, companion and head of scientific negligence at JMW Solicitors
Each time a medical professional examines you, they replace your medical information with details about your sickness or situation and the care and remedy you acquired. You might be curious to know whether or not you’ll be able to entry your medical information while you want them. Right here, JMW’s medical negligence workforce seems at your rights to entry to your medical information.
What are medical information?
Medical doctors, nurses and different healthcare suppliers add notes to a affected person’s medical file, together with observations, the administration of medicines and therapies, prescriptions, and the outcomes of checks and X-rays. Moreover, they might comprise appointment notes and letters from physicians and different healthcare professionals.
Why would I must entry my medical information?
Viewing medical information would possibly aid you higher perceive your situation or remedy, or it will possibly aid you get able to make a criticism in case you have issues together with your medical care. You may also be fascinated with researching your medical historical past out of sheer curiosity.
Am I in a position to entry my very own medical information?
You’ll be able to entry your individual medical information, and you aren’t required to supply a purpose on your request. If it is advisable to, you may also permit entry to different people, reminiscent of a solicitor or your loved ones.
Find out how to right an error in your medical information
For those who spot an error in your medical information, it’s essential to inform somebody on the NHS service chargeable for their upkeep, reminiscent of your GP surgical procedure who will be capable of support you in updating it.
Can I nominate another person to view my information for me?
Sure. One other particular person, reminiscent of a solicitor, could be chosen to evaluate your information; nevertheless, it is advisable to give written consent. With out this permission, your medical information are fully confidential. Nobody ought to be capable of see them with out your permission until they’re an authorised healthcare skilled or have authorized authority to handle your affairs.
How do I entry my medical information?
Most sufferers can have computerized entry to knowledge on-line that has been added to their GP report since 2022. This class contains letters, take a look at outcomes and appointment notes. It’s potential that some sufferers could possibly entry information that predate November 2022.
There are two primary methods to get entry to your medical doctors’ information.
1. By talking to your GP surgical procedure
You possibly can ask on your GP report at your GP surgical procedure.
In case you are having problem accessing your medical information or would really like extra recommendation on how to take action, contact an skilled solicitor to obtain professional recommendation.
2. Utilizing your NHS account
You possibly can entry your GP report by logging into your account on the NHS web site or app.
You could first enroll and supply identification for on-line companies.
Utilizing the NHS web site or app will solely allow you to see your prescriptions and allergic reactions. To get a replica of your whole medical report, it’s essential to ask your GP.
For those who discover that you’ve got any questions relating to your remedy or discrepancies present in your medical report, communicate to your GP surgical procedure to rearrange an appointment to debate the difficulty in additional depth.
Your Rights to Accessing Your Medical Information is a collaborative submit