Medical Records

Your medical records are used to help to provide you with the best possible care. They are legal documents owned by the department of health and once an entry has been made it cannot be removed. If you do not want certain information recorded in your records let your doctor know before it has been entered. Like all health professionals we endeavour to ensure that your records are safe with us.

The Practice staff and everyone else working for the National Health Service (NHS) have a legal duty to maintain the highest level of confidentiality about patient information. In some instances, you may be receiving care from other people as well as the NHS and we may need to share some information about you with them, so that we can all work together for your benefit. Anyone who receives confidential information about you from us is also under a legal duty of confidence.
In normal circumstances we will not disclose your information to third parties without your authority. We will only give your relatives, friends or your employer/college information about you if you want us to and if we have your express permission to do so.
In certain circumstances we are required by law to report information to the appropriate authorities when the health or safety of others is at risk, for the notification of new births, where we encounter infectious diseases which may endanger the safety of others (e.g. meningitis or measles, but not HIV/AIDS) or where a formal court order has been issued. This information is only provided after formal authority has been given by a qualified health professional

Your records are used to guide and administer the treatment you receive and to ensure that your doctor or the nurse has accurate and up to date information to assess your health and decide what you need.
They ensure that full information is available should you see another doctor, or be referred to a specialist in another part of the NHS. They ensure that there is a good basis for looking back and checking on the type and quality of care that you have received. They also ensure that your concerns can be properly investigated if you need to complain about the service or your treatment. Whilst always preserving your confidentiality, your records can also help us to help you by assisting with the teaching and training of health care professionals (you can choose whether or not to be involved personally) and by assisting with health research.

How you can arrange to see your own records

Everyone should be able to see the information that is kept in their medical records. If you want to see them, you should make a written request to the Practice Manager. We are obliged to let you see the information and also to explain any part of the record that you do not understand.
You are also entitled to receive a copy of the information you have seen but a small charge may be made for the administration and time involved. Should your doctor decide that seeing your records might put your health at risk, you may only be shown part of your records or your request may be declined.

More details about your rights of access to information held can be found on the Information Commissioner's Office website.