Are there any rules around GP letters?

[Letterz]

Posting for traffic and help please.... does anyone know what rules apply to letters sent out by a GP practice in terms of accuracy and honesty?

Specifically, have any rules been broken if a practice sends out a letter to a patient that contains a deliberately false statement or accusation which is detrimental to the patient?

I was reading about FOMI, but am not sure that covers letters per se.

Thank you!

Any letter sent by a Dr should be based upon clinical facts and not make comments based on their personal view unless clinically related. The content of the letter constitutes a medical record and if incorrect steps taken against the Dr.

Is This something your doctor has written about you. Health records including GP letters are confidential and not covered by freedom of information. Are you happy to share a bit more info. If this is your GP then ask to see them to clarify the concerns you have.

It’s not a GP letter relating to health, it’s an administrative letter issued by admin staff and counter-signed by a GP.

Sorry but don't really known the answer, it depends what was written and what it was about.

Have you been sent a did not attend letter or have you been told to find another surgery because you've been abusive?

No, not really any of those. Sorry to be vague, I know it’s frustrating.

But it is an admin letter which contains a deliberately misleading statement about me.

I just would like to know if there is any set of rules or governance or guidelines in existence that apply to letters sent to patients from a GP practice.

I think a lot of people get did not attend letter, we got one days after the appt was due, it was a common clerical error which was easily corrected by phoning the clinic.

Impossible to say without more info OP

I'd speak to the GP or practice manager, I don't know what they have written that you feel is misleading. You can always complain to your local nhs department who are responsible for gps and surgeries, Google it.

How is it deliberately misleading? Does it relate to your medical history? Admin to me just covers name, address, dob.

If it is definitely false but has come from your notes, you need to discuss it with the Doctor so s/he can let you know whether they are happy to remove it.

If you have been written to about an incident or your behaviour it is unlikely to be withdrawn unless you can proove it is entirely false.

None that I’m aware of that address specifically what you ask. Letters are required to be factual certainly, otherwise libel would apply if gave thought.
DNA letters and letters about missed appointments are usually fairly standard cut and paste to the address on record. Only sent out if an appointment has been missed

Sorry, didn’t really answer. The only rules that will apply are data protection which says information must be accurate. It really depends on whether the information is clear cut false or whether it is subjective.

If it's a medical opinion about you, then you have no right to have it changed. You could change factual data like name, dob, address etc.

I think you've done a thread like this before but about someone else?

It would entirely depend on what you felt was incorrect - it would help to be a little bit more specific as to what it was and what the negative impact you feel it has.

If the practice believe that the information is accurate and refuse to change either you only have 2 options:

1. ask that they give your right to add a note to the letter / part of the records with the letter with your perspective so anyone reading can have the both perspectives. If they refuse you need to contact NHS England and the information commissioner about it.

2. contact the practice manager or NHS England to speak with them or make a complaint if they refuse to change the record and you're not happy with the reasons for this decision.

I had a copy of a letter sent to my GP which stated along the lines of “referral of a pleasant 36 year old female” regarding me.
I was surprised to be described as pleasant as I’m a grumpy cow...

Was it something innocuous like that or was it something like “*letterz*was abusive to staff due to health anxiety in our reception area and unless gets help for health anxiety won’t be seen at the practice again”. So you could dispute the fact they stated health anxiety, you were abusive as they were rude. Or something like that.

Unless you give more info I doubt anyone will be able to advise.

Not enough info, sorry

Impossible to say with limited Info provided

Can you say, the letter is for work/education/benefits etc?

Like for example if it was for benefits and the said you're ok when you're there frequently with an issue, it would make sense.

Call the practice manager to discuss. Easier to do this and find out why the letter contains what it does, first. If you're not satisfied with explanation then complain.