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Original poster

Can I see my GP records?

27 replies

purpleme12 · 08/02/2022 20:06

Can I see what's on my GP records?
I never have actually seen my records myself
But I'm doing life insurance quote and now I'm worried I've given wrong information or missed something off or something!

OP posts:
endofagain · 08/02/2022 20:08

Yes. You just write to your gp practice manager and ask. You can set up your account online free, or if you want a full version you will have to pay.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 08/02/2022 20:22

Oh right ok so I need to write rather than call for this?
So what is the difference between the free online account and the full version that you have to pay for?
Does the free version only show back a certain amount of years or something? Or have less detail?

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 08/02/2022 20:29

Get the NHS app. You can view from there. But I think you do have to take some id to your Dr's and ask for full access.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 08/02/2022 21:15

I've downloaded the NHS app
How much information does this give me on there?

OP posts:
CommonMelodies · 08/02/2022 21:25

Can you ask them to remove something from your record? E.g anxiety during pregnancy?

Everly18 · 08/02/2022 23:21

I have requested mine twice, i have received letters from the surgery with a consent form to return then i hear nothing back and still dying have access to ask my records online 😏

Original poster
purpleme12 · 08/02/2022 23:25

Oh right
What access does the NHS app give you then?
What information can you see on there?

OP posts:
Gwenhwyfar · 12/02/2022 18:55

@endofagain

Yes. You just write to your gp practice manager and ask. You can set up your account online free, or if you want a full version you will have to pay.
Under GDPR I think it's now illegal to charge for making copies of medical records.
midds3 · 12/02/2022 18:58

I requested mine and had no charge although it wasn't quite as detailed as I thought it would be.

mystomachhatesme · 13/02/2022 06:29

I saw my records years ago, but GP was sat with me and wouldn’t let me handle them - and refused to let me see anything written that was recent ie within 5 years .

I have a long long history of mental health issues though so quite different !

Gwenhwyfar · 14/02/2022 20:43

@mystomachhatesme

I saw my records years ago, but GP was sat with me and wouldn’t let me handle them - and refused to let me see anything written that was recent ie within 5 years .

I have a long long history of mental health issues though so quite different !

You can complain to the Information Commissioner if you are not given access to your records. We are all entitled to a copy.
Gwenhwyfar · 14/02/2022 20:43

I suppose there might be exceptions if someone would be really at risk by seeing them, not sure...

WaitinginVain · 14/02/2022 20:58

I've had a copy of my complete records and didn't have to pay for them.
It was an interesting read, including another patient's name on my record and things I didn't know about my own health.

Gwenhwyfar · 14/02/2022 21:02

Did you get an email or a letter Waiting?

FixTheBone · 14/02/2022 21:26

@CommonMelodies

Can you ask them to remove something from your record? E.g anxiety during pregnancy?
I believe you can only have your records amended if they are factually innacurate.

ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/guide-to-le-processing/individual-rights/the-right-to-rectification/#:~:text=Individuals%20have%20the%20right%20to,any%20event%20within%20one%20month.

Sarahlou252 · 14/02/2022 21:32

I've got mine on the Patient Access app, had to take something into the doctors to sign, to give permission.
Everything is on there, right back to the jabs I had as a baby.

WaitinginVain · 14/02/2022 21:51

@Gwenhwyfar I requested by letter to my GP's surgery. Took several weeks but was able to collect a hard copy, which is what I actually wanted. I'm 52 and have been with the same GP all my life so there were a lot of records. They have corrected the record by removing the other patient's name and confirmed what they have done in writing.

LadyLolaRuben · 14/02/2022 22:02

Hi NHS manager here. Write to your GP asking for a full copy of your GP records. Its free and you should receive them within 28 days. Should you read anything you think is inaccurate, you cannot have it deleted but, you can request an entry be put alongside it stating that you disagree, the reason why and writing what you believe happened or was said etc

Gwenhwyfar · 16/02/2022 17:12

@LadyLolaRuben

Hi NHS manager here. Write to your GP asking for a full copy of your GP records. Its free and you should receive them within 28 days. Should you read anything you think is inaccurate, you cannot have it deleted but, you can request an entry be put alongside it stating that you disagree, the reason why and writing what you believe happened or was said etc
Hi Lady, would this be electronic or a photocopy? And if a photocopy can they be sent abroad? Do you accept requests by email. By law, I think these should be allowed, but there was a time when the BMA was advising doctors to make people sign the requests.
LadyLolaRuben · 18/02/2022 11:11

Yes written requests are accepted regardless of format. You can request a preferential format and they normally oblige if they have the IT to do it. If you get it electronically they will send you a password separately to open it. They may be reluctant to send paper notes abroad but explain situation. It will be fine inside EU. They may get you to sign disclaimer in case notes go missing in transit

Gwenhwyfar · 18/02/2022 17:40

@LadyLolaRuben

Yes written requests are accepted regardless of format. You can request a preferential format and they normally oblige if they have the IT to do it. If you get it electronically they will send you a password separately to open it. They may be reluctant to send paper notes abroad but explain situation. It will be fine inside EU. They may get you to sign disclaimer in case notes go missing in transit
Thanks very much Lady. I don't want to cause them more work, but on the other hand I think I should know about my own health. Nowadays we get copies of everything, but I have nothing from before a few years ago.
LadyLolaRuben · 19/02/2022 11:05

You're not causing extra work at all. They get requests every day from patients, solicitors, police etc etc. Its pretty standard these days. Be prepared for mistakes, inaccuracies, things worded not exactly how you meant etc. Dont be offended if it feels "cold" - they are clinical notes. Some terms you may find strange but don't take offence e.g. "patient denies pain in abdomen". This just means no pain experienced not that the patient is lying which some patients complain about. Its a completely different world

ThisIsEngland · 19/02/2022 11:54

@endofagain

Yes. You just write to your gp practice manager and ask. You can set up your account online free, or if you want a full version you will have to pay.
You don't pay any longer, even for your full records.
ThisIsEngland · 19/02/2022 12:03

@LadyLolaRuben

You're not causing extra work at all. They get requests every day from patients, solicitors, police etc etc. Its pretty standard these days. Be prepared for mistakes, inaccuracies, things worded not exactly how you meant etc. Dont be offended if it feels "cold" - they are clinical notes. Some terms you may find strange but don't take offence e.g. "patient denies pain in abdomen". This just means no pain experienced not that the patient is lying which some patients complain about. Its a completely different world
Another couple of words that has different connotations in medical notes:

Exaggerated is - as in "it was noted her gait was exaggerated" doesn't, ean you are deliberately exaggerating, it means more pronounced or more noticeable than normal

Self inflicgrd: this doesn't always mean as in deliberate actions to cause yourself harm, it can mram something like where a skin complaint has worsened and the cause may be scratching whilst asleep or unaware you're scratching.

BirdOnTheWire · 19/02/2022 14:06

On the NHS app it goes back at least 25 years as both my DC have birth details showing.