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Original poster

Can I get in trouble for doing this

116 replies

Dopeydoris44 · 25/05/2024 17:07

I'm mid 40s . For a long time I have been trying to find out why I went to a school for children with learning difficulties. I know i have learning difficulties but I don't really know what they are.

So I heard I may be able to find out via my medical records we are talking 35+ years ago though. Anyway I went on to the Web site thing for my gp surgery. It said to access my medical history I would need to send photo ID it gave the common ones for driving licence. Passport ID card. Then it had the option of other so I pressed on that abd it gave me other options. I did not understand what it was really.

So here's what I done I recently sent for photo ID on the government site that will allow me to vote. It has a photo of myself and other personal details. So I took a photo of that and sent that to the gp as my photo ID. It wasn't even on the list as an option.

Can i get into any sort of trouble for using it?

OP posts:
TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 25/05/2024 21:07

Dopeydoris44 · 25/05/2024 20:58

Could I do anything with freedom of information?

Show quote history

No, FOI isn't for obtaining personal records.

I'd speak to your surgery and see what they advise.

Original poster
Dopeydoris44 · 25/05/2024 21:10

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 25/05/2024 21:07

No, FOI isn't for obtaining personal records.

I'd speak to your surgery and see what they advise.

Show quote history

Ah ok. Thank you

OP posts:
Padamae · 25/05/2024 21:14

Have you thought about using an advocacy service to support you in accessing your records?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Mynewnameis · 25/05/2024 21:18

Advocacy service is a great idea.
If you can't find one maybe put some thoughts in writing and taking them with you to the GP. Could your child help if old enough?

Mynewnameis · 25/05/2024 21:19

Ps. Your original question. You won't get into trouble in any way. Please don't give it another second of worry

Theredoubtableskins · 25/05/2024 21:24

Do you attend church? Or any other clubs? Do you do anything where you’ve met someone and have known them for a couple of years? What about parents of your children’s friends? You must have known some of the parents for a few years, even in passing. They don’t need to know you well, they just need to be someone who can confirm the photo is you. Ask one of your children’s friend’s parents.

helpfulperson · 25/05/2024 21:27

In our area library staff can often provide help with filling out forms like this. Obviously they can't sign to say they know you but can help you with going through the form and helping you understand the requirements and possibilities.

Do you work or claim benefits? could someone at work sign your form or if you have claimed benefits for a while I don't know if staff there could sign.

What you need to complete to see all your information is called a Subject Access Request. You can send this to the school. You just need to say in the letter that you want to make a subject access request for any information they hold on you, and to put your name and date of birth. You could also sent this to your local authority and doctors surgery. They cannot insist you apply via the website. they will still need some form of ID although your birth certificate should be enough.

Theredoubtableskins · 25/05/2024 21:32

If you have children then you must have a partner, or previously had a partner. He will have friends and family who know who you are. One of them could sign.

LIZS · 25/05/2024 21:39

Could I do anything with freedom of information? no it is a dsar (Data Subject Access Request)

MigGirl · 25/05/2024 21:40

I would go into your GP surgery and ask if you can have access to your GP records. The likelihood is that the information you are looking for wouldn't be on the electronic records anyway as it's to old and would be in your old paper records.

When DH wanted to see his childhood records they had everything in a paper file. He was allowed to read it at the GP'S but not take it away. He was looking for information about his medical history from childhood. It was all there he just had to dig through the files. If I remember rightly he had to arrange a time to go and look through the file and you could always ask if you could take someone with you to help you look.

I think there would be no harm in asking the school you attended either, they may not keep records for that long but you can still ask.

Original poster
Dopeydoris44 · 25/05/2024 21:45

MigGirl · 25/05/2024 21:40

I would go into your GP surgery and ask if you can have access to your GP records. The likelihood is that the information you are looking for wouldn't be on the electronic records anyway as it's to old and would be in your old paper records.

When DH wanted to see his childhood records they had everything in a paper file. He was allowed to read it at the GP'S but not take it away. He was looking for information about his medical history from childhood. It was all there he just had to dig through the files. If I remember rightly he had to arrange a time to go and look through the file and you could always ask if you could take someone with you to help you look.

I think there would be no harm in asking the school you attended either, they may not keep records for that long but you can still ask.

Edited

I have no one to ask at all.

Does not feel very fair to me. I would read it then not know what I have read. Unless I'm allowed to take notes.

I might write to the surgery

OP posts:
robinsnest1967 · 25/05/2024 21:47

I'd also contact your Local Authority (your council) as they might have records. I recently contacted mine and asked if they had any records for me as a child (over 50 years) as I understood I might have come to their attention due to neglect etc. I had a really lovely reply from a lady who asked me a few questions to just verify my identity from previous addresses/mums name etc, and she gave me the answers I needed.
Might be worth a try.

LIZS · 25/05/2024 21:50

That was why I suggested a face to face meeting with gp. They could talk you through the relevant notes. Do you have anyone to support you with paperwork etc if you find it hard to process? Citizens advice might be able to provide a volunteer.

Sillystrumpet · 25/05/2024 21:52

Op, just call your surgery, explain you want to see your records, have none of the id listed, can they advise route forward and you are happy to come in and get a print out.

Original poster
Dopeydoris44 · 25/05/2024 21:52

robinsnest1967 · 25/05/2024 21:47

I'd also contact your Local Authority (your council) as they might have records. I recently contacted mine and asked if they had any records for me as a child (over 50 years) as I understood I might have come to their attention due to neglect etc. I had a really lovely reply from a lady who asked me a few questions to just verify my identity from previous addresses/mums name etc, and she gave me the answers I needed.
Might be worth a try.

I know I did not have any social work involvement as a kid. But would I ask the local council I'm under now. Or the one my school was based in?

OP posts:
LIZS · 25/05/2024 21:58

The one who would have handled your case at the time.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 25/05/2024 22:06

Asking the local authority where you were at school is a very good idea, the council must have been involved in giving you a place at the school, so they must have been told why you needed a place at a school for kids with learning difficulties.

But do be prepared that they may have destroyed the records to comply with data protection laws.

Have you just flat out asked your current GP if they know what your learning difficulties are? Did you give them details of your old GP so they could get your notes from them? I'd hope if you had a diagnosis at any point that it would be recorded on your notes. It's important information, and it's always going to be relevant - just like having asthma or being allergic to something.

Original poster
Dopeydoris44 · 25/05/2024 22:12

I'm just thinking. Could I have gone to a special needs school under moderate learning difficulties? Rather than an actual diagnosis?

OP posts:
Original poster
Dopeydoris44 · 25/05/2024 22:13

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 25/05/2024 22:06

Asking the local authority where you were at school is a very good idea, the council must have been involved in giving you a place at the school, so they must have been told why you needed a place at a school for kids with learning difficulties.

But do be prepared that they may have destroyed the records to comply with data protection laws.

Have you just flat out asked your current GP if they know what your learning difficulties are? Did you give them details of your old GP so they could get your notes from them? I'd hope if you had a diagnosis at any point that it would be recorded on your notes. It's important information, and it's always going to be relevant - just like having asthma or being allergic to something.

Edited

I. Thinking I might just write to everyone I can think of including the school and see what I get 🤔

OP posts:
BrassOlive · 25/05/2024 22:20

Hi OP, I'm not sure about what ID will be acceptable to your GP, but just wanted to add that the charity Mencap might be able to help you with your enquiries. Best of luck.

LIZS · 25/05/2024 22:22

Dopeydoris44 · 25/05/2024 22:12

I'm just thinking. Could I have gone to a special needs school under moderate learning difficulties? Rather than an actual diagnosis?

Potentially. There was a "remedial" class at my junior school which encompassed a broad range of learning difficulties and behavioural issues.

SoItGoes221 · 25/05/2024 22:25

I don't have a driving licence or a passport either. My GP accepted a copy of my birth certificate and a bill (eg council tax or bank statement) with my name on it to get access to my medical records.

OutOfTheHouse · 25/05/2024 22:43

Dopeydoris44 · 25/05/2024 22:12

I'm just thinking. Could I have gone to a special needs school under moderate learning difficulties? Rather than an actual diagnosis?

Back then very few children were officially diagnosed with any processing disorders, like ASD or ADHD. I was in the remedial class it my primary for a year. I was never diagnosed with anything.

Original poster
Dopeydoris44 · 25/05/2024 22:52

OutOfTheHouse · 25/05/2024 22:43

Back then very few children were officially diagnosed with any processing disorders, like ASD or ADHD. I was in the remedial class it my primary for a year. I was never diagnosed with anything.

Show quote history

I very vaguely remember in primary school. Being taken on the mini bus to a place called the unit. I remember having warm juice and a biscuit. I know it was something to do with difficulties we had but I don't know what it actually was. That was before I went to the special needs school.

OP posts:
RageAsauraus · 25/05/2024 22:58

Hi OP,
I would pop into your GP. Say to the receptionist:
"Hello, I would like to access my medical records from 35years ago but I don't know how to do this. I don't have valid ID. Please can you help me?".

Or write down what you are looking for and hand that to her.

I really feel for you. Both of my children have additional needs and I am mindful that they need to understand themselves. I hope you get the answers you need.