Your Medical Records

Medical Records are a lifelong history of your health care. The information is stored on both paper and computer and has details of your consultations, illnesses, treatments, tests and prescriptions. It is kept as a history of your treatment to ensure that you receive the best possible care now and in the future. Your G.P is responsible for the accuracy and safekeeping of your medical records. You can help to keep it accurate by telling us of any changes in your circumstances such as new address or telephone number.

All NHS staff are trained in information security and confidentiality. There are strict rules in place to make sure your information is safe. Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential. We are therefore registered with the Information Commission to process data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

All patients have a right to view what is kept on their medical records and any such request must be made in writing to the Practice Manager. You are also entitled to receive a copy of the information that you have seen. However, a small charge will be made to cover administration and photocopying costs. Should the G.P. decide that permitting you access to your records may cause serious harm to your physical or mental health, then we may only show you part of your records or decline your request all together.

In some instances, you may be receiving care from other people as well as the NHS. 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 is under a legal duty of confidence. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example when the health or safety of others is at risk, we will not disclose your information to any third party without your permission. We will only give your relatives, friends and carers information if you want us to.

You may find that your health records need to be shared with an agency such as a solicitor or insurance company. If so we will need written consent from you where you can indicate whether you wish to view the information that is sent about you beforehand.

If you have any objections at all to us sharing your information with other medical professionals e.g hospital consultants, please let us know.