Redacted Medical Notes

[FUNM]

How common is it for medical notes to be redacted when a patient requests them in the UK?

They are always redacted - or they should be at least. Why?

I believe the rules on "data controllers" are quite strict about release of personal information, so at least in principle medical notes should be checked for "3rd party information" which would then be redacted. At a guess that could be things like "father has cancer" or "daughter is receiving help at school" or whatnot. Not sure what other things would typically be redacted before a patient sees them. I know that if it is stuff in there only because you've told them it would seem silly, but suppose the notes were being released to you to pass on to an insurer or something.

A friend requested them and was surprised to find certain bits redacted. They understand about 3rd party information but wondered how common it is for other reasons

Afaik any mention of a 3rd party is redacted regardless of how mundane or not it is. As is any mention of something that may cause distress to the patient viewing the notes. It’s why a GP always reviews any notes being requested before being sent away. HTH