To want to know your experiences of (and timescales for) obtaining online access to GP records ASAP

[CloudgazerCat]

I need to see detailed GP records ASAP as am seeing various providers, NHS and private. Nigh impossible to see GP within a month to discuss with them. Need to provide information, test results, etc to other providers to inform them (experience shows they don't seem to have time/inclination to read my record and it would save time updating myself for appointments rather than trying in vain to sort things out retrospectively and need multiple further appointments). The system seems to be saying I need to do everything myself, without actually seeing the records.

Tell me your experiences of obtaining online access to all (or some) of your GP records. How long did it take after providing the form and ID? Did they limit access, and if so was it for a legitimate reason?

I’m sure I can access all my records on my online NHS App account - have you tried that?

Purplevioletsherbert - thanks for your reply. I signed up to the NHS App only to see allergies and medications, plus a message saying I would need to apply to the GP surgery. I emailed them, they said I needed a form and ID. I completed the form and went to the GP surgery with ID. I was told it could take "up to 21 days to process". My understanding from reading online was that access would be instantaneous, and that they have to provide full access to your records unless there is a legitimate reason not to. So a bit surprised to be told I have to wait for information that, seemingly, many surgeries make available without an application, let alone a wait.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/view-your-gp-health-record/

You should be able to see records from the time you apply and going forward.
For records held before this date the GP has to go through records and ensure no accidental third party information available so this can take a few weeks
if you know specifically which letter you need you could ask for it to be printed for you

I took some ID to the surgery, which the receptionist checked. I can’t remember exactly how long it took after that to see my records in the NHS app, but I think it was less than 24 hours (48 at most). I needed access to see the results of an XRay.

Within a few hours for me

When I tried too access my records on the NHS app a message stated that I needed to request access to my 'detailed coded record' from my GP to be able to do this. I contacted my GP but the receptionist didn't seem to understand what this meant. I ended up finding out the email address of the GP practice manager (found online) and emailing them directly if they could authorise access to my detailed coded record. I received a response from them to advise that they had now authorised access and I was then able to view my records within a few hours. I didn't need to complete a form or provide ID, I just provided my name, Dob and address etc in the email.

Thanks for your replies. I wonder why my GP surgery does not seem to be complying with the law. Curiouser and curiouser...

For info, the app is not available in Scotland. A subject access request with 30 days notice is required here

Do they usually respond within 30 days? Not all organisations do

Has anyone had access denied? I suspect my GP surgery is trying to avoid allowing me access because they do not want me to have evidence to put in a complaint against them. This does not seem to be a legitimate reason and the only reasons for preventing full access relate to protecting the patient. To whom can I complain about the GP surgery conduct? There have been multiple breaches of the Professional Code of Practice and NHS Constitution. I would be inclined to complain to the GMC or the auditing body. I had thought that post-Shipman GPs would be better regulated and that there were requirements to report other doctor's negligence/misconduct rather than covering up, ignoring evidence or stopping others view evidence. It is hard to imagine, eg a bank refusing to let you see your banking records because they were protecting an employee who had "made a mistake" (or worse). Someone must be in charge of this, but who? Is it really left up to GPs to self-regulate?

Are you wanting the records to make a complaint or to help re further treatment? I thought they'd be different things?

I need to see my records for ongoing diagnosis and treatment. I have also been the victim of medical negligence/misconduct which has worsened the medical issues, and will probably complain to the appropriate body/ies in due course.

Coded records mean a list of diagnoses which have been given a SNOMED computer code or from the ICD-10 system

NHSE chose to give zero funding for the significant work involved at practice level to allow safe access whilst protecting those with e.g. safeguarding issues. Practices do what they can but in some cases may take months if they don't have capacity. The blame lies with NHSE. If you need absolutely everything then I'd do a SAR as online access won't cover eg free text in consultations.

You complain to the practice and then to NHSE if not happy with their response.

My surgery has my entire medical records on their website. When I log in, I can book/cancel an appointment, request prescriptions, look at my blood test results (in detail, not that I understand a word of it) and view my medical record going back to 2001

Thanks. I think it would make sense to see the records first then SAR any obvious Gaps. I am inclined to escalate to another body and skip complaining to the practice as they do not investigate appropriately, confidentially or independently. It is basically the GP with the concerning conduct telling an undertrained and unempowered "investigations" admin person what to do. Totally inadequate for safeguarding or professional conduct concerns.

That sounds great. How long did it take you to access that? Did you just log in on the NHS app and it was there? Or did you have to apply for access via the GP surgery?

OP. My private consultant is able to see my NHS test results on his system. I watched him look at them while I was in a consult with him.

That's interesting to know.

Sounds like you're maybe conflating two different things here - if you want copies of your full medical records (i.e including verbatim notes of consultations, copies of consultant letters etc) then that requires a SAR, which must be responded to within a specific time frame

If you're just getting additional access om the NHS app, MyGP, Patient Access or whatever platform your surgery uses, I'm not sure you'll get what you're looking for - both surgeries I've been registered at in the last 10 years or so have only included coded entries (e.g. June 2024 - Eczema, November 2020 - chickenpox), allergies, vaccines and test results

@Droolylabradors That's interesting, I've been wondering about this after having tests and a diagnosis through Benenden health. I wonder if the private consultant I'm seeing soon about pain management would be able to access those results as well? Love your username btw, as a drooly Lab owner myself

That's interesting. The NHS website says the following are available:

• medicines your GP has prescribed
• allergies you have
• vaccinations you've had
• conditions you've been diagnosed with
• notes from appointments at your GP surgery
• results of tests your GP surgery has arranged
• letters that hospitals or specialists have sent to your GP

And some people are reporting seeing all of these. SAR continues to be available, of course, but having to wait 30 days is not practicable if one is dealing with ongoing conditions.

And it risks makes access to one's records "an issue" where one has to deal with defensive GPs who may have, eg, failed to follow referral guidelines, and the be uncooperative about sharing information when one has self-referred to a private consultant and it will be evident that the GP has messed up. Any effort by the GP to prevent access to records, to the patient or other professionals, simply compounds the harm already done.

Absolutely this. Also, one needs access to health records to communicate most effectively when self-referring to a private GP or specialist.

Unfortunately, I know of an instance of a GP failing to follow NICE referral guidelines who when the patient said they would see a private consultant instead said "I will not refer you to a private consultant", apparently unaware that it is possible to self-refer via a private GP nowadays. Thank goodness.