A request by a patient, or a request by a third party who has been authorised by the patient, for access under the GDPR (and DPA 2018) is called a Subject Access Request (SAR). If you want to see your health records, or wish a copy, please complete a Practice Subject Access Request Form which you can complete online or please contact the Practice and we will provide you with our paper format. Contact will, subsequently, be made by the Practice to arrange a time for you to come in and collect or read them. You don’t have to give a reason for wanting to see your records and there is no charge for this service. You will however be required to produce proof of identity before being allowed to read them.
The Practice has up to 28 days to respond to your request. If additional information is needed before copies can be supplied, the 28-day time limit will begin as soon as the additional information has been received.
The 28 day time limit can be extended for two months for complex or numerous requests where the data controller (usually your Practice) needs more time to collate and supply the data. You will be informed about this within 28 days and provided with an explanation of why the extension is necessary.
When writing/calling, you should say if you:
- want a copy of your healthcare records as well as to see them (if you wish to see them your Doctor or member of staff will be present to assist you and explain any medical terms to you)
- want all or just part of them
- would like your records to be given to you in a specific format that meets your needs, and we will endeavour to accommodate your request
- If you request your records to be emailed, then we will secure you or your representative’s agreement (in writing or by email) that they accept the risk of sending unencrypted information to a non-NHS email address
You may also need to fill in an Application Form and give proof of your identity. The Practice has an obligation under the GDPR and DPA2018 to ensure that any information provided for the patient can be verified.
Please note we never send original medical records because of the potential detriment to patient care should these be lost