I already know IABU, but please answer anyway!

[BlankkSlate]

I am new to the UK and to the ways of the NHS so I have some really stupid questions that I want to ask.

The reason that I am asking these questions is because of a pre employment medical form that I had to fill in recently in which I was asked for the details of an NHS GP. I have not given those details and have instead provided details of my GP from home because I have never really been treated by the NHS for anything (since I haven't been here that long). The only one visit I recall is to get a prescription for a BC pill which I felt might help my acne and painful periods. I didn't end up taking the pill at all because the problem went away on it's own.

However, while registering at the GP practice, I was asked to fill out a form in which there were some questions about my medical history. I don't recall exactly what I filled in there, but I might have stated that I have a condition (PCOD) that I later found was misdiagnosed in my home country. I never updated my GP records because it never struck me to do so, but it worries me nonetheless. Since I don't actually have PCOD, I didn't declare it on my pre employment medical but if they contact my GP in the UK and he states that PCOD exists in my history then I might not end up looking so good :( I also stated on my NHS forms that I was allergic to dust when it turns out that I am not!!

I may be worrying over nothing because the GP surgery told me that my records have been archived (long story) and that they don't give out information to employers without consent. The records have been archived because this was a uni health centre and I am not a student there anymore. I have since moved twice and saw no sense in registering at a GP for just 1-2 months. So I technically don't even have an NHS GP. I will now finally register with a GP practice when I move to the city where I am due to start my job in January.

So questions are-

1. In case my employer insists on seeing my NHS records, what do I do?

1. What happens to those paper forms we fill in when we register at a new GP? Are those kept on record or is it only the stuff that we visit the GP for (the stuff they keep online)?

1. If they do manage to access my records on the NHS, how do I explain the discrepancy between what I have declared on the form (which is absolutely true) and what is on the NHS records (which isn't accurate)?

What is your job, OP?

I am not in HR nor do I work for the NHS. So take this as a layperson's view - you haven't lied, you've disclosed what you've known to be true at the time, and your condition/general health has logically evolved over some time so why would you worry?

Your employer can't see your medical records. Not without your permission and they're most unlikely to ask. The questionnaire is probably to determine if you're ok to work for them so the bar will be pretty low.

I doubt there's anyone whose NHS record is 100% accurate. All sorts of odd things get written down which weren't what happened/what was said. It's operated by people so by its nature will have errors.

Don't worry at all. Just fill in the form and it will never be looked at again.

It's a boring and meaningless desk job in a bank.

I was also told that the registration form is part of paper records which get lost and misplaced all the time. The things that stay on record are the things we visit the GP for.

Is this true?

Could the questionnaire have been to gather information so that if you became ill at work they would know which GP you were with?

I think you are over thinking it al!

They will be used to people having a UK gp as most people are registered with one.

And when I think about it, it wouldn't be fair for the NHS GP to mention anything about a condition that he has neither tested or treated me for. I've never been to the NHS specifically about the pcod-like symptoms and have never been tested (ultrasound, blood works etc) by them for it. The only thing they ever tested me for was a standard chlamydia test that they do for everyone at uni. LOL

Homebird I don't know. This job is in a different city to where I am right now. I will have register with a new GP when I move there anyway.

The NHS GP will not be able to help them anyway. He does not know anything about my detailed medical history (I've only been here for 2 years and they have been very healthy ones so I only went to the GP once).

This is why I gave the details of my GP from back home because he has treated me since I was little and will be able to answer all their questions in detail.

I suspect employers ask for the name of your GP just in case of long term sickness or occupational health involvement later down the line. They will not be getting a list of diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions, and could not do this without consent anyway.

I don't think you've any need to worry.

I know they couldn't do this without consent, but if they were to ask me for my consent, I would hardly be in a position to say 'no'.

They only ask so they know who to contact in case of emergency and so they are aware if you have medical conditions that they will need to take into account/ may result in long term problems. I would probably speak to my GP though, just in regards to getting any faulty information on your records removed. Nothing to do with the job.

I am a GP we don't get records from outside the UK. In the UK the paper records are transferred manually and the electronic records which many GPs have been using for years(we have been scanning in hospital letters since 2002 and typing our notes on computer since 2004) are frequently transferred electronically.
If you had put on your registration form with the NHS GP that you had, or thought you had PCOD I would want more information before I coded it on your electronic record and if someone had coded it then all I would be able to say was I had no information on this and as you had never really been to set me (seeing us once for acne and painful periods is not something we would code as a medical problem especially if it was a one off) I would just say that this person saw us x years ago and from her records that I have she d not have any significant past medical history of note. You can correct the other details when you register with a new GP.
I would really not worry at all about this at all. They are only interested if you have a disability that they would need to adjust for or a horrendous sickness record.

See not set me. Oops

Musicalthreatmum Thanks so much! That's very reassuring. :)

I suppose I got a little concerned because I wouldn't ever want my employer to think I am lying. Furthermore, this form was also for health insurance purposes (which I am getting through my employer) so I wanted to be as accurate as possible.

At some point I definitely want to get the whole PCOD mystery sorted out. Since one doctor told me I have it and then another one said I don't, I am just not sure at this point about whether I have it or not! Most likely not, but I would like to be sure. Either on the NHS or through the private insurance I am getting from my employer, I definitely want to get this sorted one way or another so that my records are accurate :)

The point is, I just couldn't bring myself to tell my employer and the insurance company that I have a condition which I am not sure about.

Had it been something very serious I would have mentioned it separately that I might have it, but PCOD is not a serious or life-threatening condition is it? No point alarming them unnecessarily.