To wonder if I have a right to access my medical information?

[tututitsmellslikerain]

Name changed because I’ve not told anyone and I want it kept privately.

I’ve been having some concerning neurological symptoms and was referred to a private neurologist. I could have been referred via the NHS but figured may as well use private work insurance. I was sent for a brain scan and assumed it’d take a week or so to process the results, so hadn’t got around to booking a consult for the results. I got a call from the neurologist’s secretary asking me to make an appointment for next week. She said it wasn’t an emergency but he requested to see me. I requested the scan report and she said I can’t have it. Is it not my information?

Yep - you have a right to it - you can put it a data protection request.

Pretty sure you can, but you have to ask via the appropriate channels. My Dad asked for all his medical notes for the last two years once and got them. Apparently they were quite an eye opener! Do you have a patient liaison/PALS service? I think it may be through them.

Do you mean before your appointment?

I tried this - they said that it was information "likely to cause me harm" because I wouldn't understand it; until after the appointment. Once I'd had it; they gave me a printed copy.

I hope you're okay

It's a Freedom of Information request I think.

They should have sent a copy to your GPs. Ask them for a printout.

Yes, sorry, I meant I’d like it before my appointment. It’s only 5 days away but time is passing slowly.....

I’m not an anxious person but I’m a single mum with limited support and I keep thinking I should be planning my funeral.

I realise its stressful, but its best to talk the scan report over with your neurologist, not try to interpret it yourself beforehand. They can talk to you about treatment options and outcomes.

I’m not an anxious person but I’m a single mum with limited support and I keep thinking I should be planning my funeral.

Which, in the nicest possible way, is probably why they won't release it you before your appointment. You may misunderstand the results, panic, google and get the wrong idea putting you in a worse place mentally.

I understand you're worried but they're probably not being arsey for the sake of it.

I appreciate it's worrying but take heart from the fact that if it was really serious you would have got a same day appointment. When I was diagnosed with a life-changing chronic illness they insisted I come in the same day they got my results even though I was really busy at work.

It will take too long for you to go through the official process of getting the scan anyway and it probably is better that a doctor explains the results to you rather than you googling them and getting the wrong end of the stick.

Hope it all turns out fine

You can request personal data through a Subject Access Request, ICO.org.uk will give you more information. However, I don't think you would get the information before the appointment, medical terminology and reporting writing is another world.

Thanks, I do realise it’s not life threatening and I’m immensely grateful, of course. :) I sensed I wasn’t well and I’m scared of what I’m going to be told.

I was in the opposite situation- I got a letter meant for my GP copied and posted to me. It meant almost nothing, and I then had to phone up, ask for an appointment and wait a month before I could get it 'translated'. At least going private you're only waiting 5 days. My month passed quicker than I thought it would, I hope you find the same.

In my logical head, I know I’m being irrational and the secretary was totally lovely but in my emotional head, I’m like aaaarrrrrggghhhhhhhh.

I understand your need to see it now and you feeling it's unfair as it's your medical information...however I do think that the doctor has your best interests at heart. Medical jargon can be very complicated and you may not understand the report or misinterpret it.

As a pp said, I'm sure if it was very serious then you'd be in the same day.

The report will be written in medical jargon that you won’t understand - even if it’s perfectly normal it can still sound scary with all the medic talk so wait until the appointment and ask for a copy after you’ve discussed it.

FWIW I had a scan a few years ago privately and I was called in to discuss it even though it was essentially normal so I wouldn’t worry about the fact that they asked you to come in per se.

Perhaps I’ll do loads of stuff with DC and keep myself busy this weekend and hope work is manic on Monday.