NHS app only granted access to ‘limited parts’

[Dimsummummy]

Hi, I have requested access to my GP records via the NHS app. I was asked to go in to the surgery and complete a form, I did.

There, the receptionist cautioned me that the doctor may decide not to grant me access- this wasn’t said with any knowledge of me as a person/patient or of my records - it was a generic comment.

Alas, I got a notification that my access had changed and logged on to the app- whereby I can’t see anything extra ! All that has changed is my completed access request form has now been added- and has been completed by the doctor. The tick box says i have been granted ‘limited access’. i can’t make out the ‘reason code’.

for reference, I am interested in my test results, as I have had (post March 2020 severe covid infection with long covid for 5-6 months) symptoms that I thought were thyroid related - following this (as soon as I could get the doctors to see me post covid) i had one test out of range- but then the next ‘follow up 3 months later’ was okay. I was told the wonky test had shown high TSH and therefore ‘hyperthyroid’ indicative, when my symptoms were ‘hypo’ and so they didn’t correlate- even though my research suggested that this (high TSH) could be hypo if read in conjunction with T3/T4 - which I wasn’t told what they were or the level of the TSH.

Additionally, I was - 1 month ago - diagnosed with ferritin of 7 (and told I ‘could’ take ferrous fumerate ..like it was fine not to!)

furthermore, I was then told incorrect test results for a genetic condition I have, and this was only picked up as I phoned again and I asked for them to be clarified again l as I was astounded I’d apparently been cured !!

I also had gestational diabetes and I am annually tested, so I am interested in looking at the results over time to see if they’re moving or staying relatively steady.

I’ve also been experiencing peri menopausal symptoms for around 3/4 years and all tests keep coming back ‘within range’

Mg research pretty much unaminously suggests that NHS ranges aren’t optimum for any of these, so i wanted to see them all and in relation to my ‘normal’ baseline Results. I’m also interested in any ‘linked’ results eg B12 ( I know can co exist with low iron).

there is no reason to withhold information from me- e.g for my own mental health protection etc

can I challenge this? How would I do this?

Thanks in advance 😃

You are legally entitled to all of your personal information. Just speak to the practice manager/GP.

www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-to-get-your-medical-records/

Most patients will automatically be given access to more information added to their GP record from November 2022 onwards. This includes letters, test results and appointment notes.
Some people may also have access to information added to their GP record before this date.

Just ask the receptionist for a print out of previous blood test results if you are unable to see older results on the app.

The letter of the law is that you should be able to access all of it but in my experience, GP practices tend to do anything and everything to avoid giving you access to those results. I had to fill out a form which detailed "which part" of my notes I wanted, they were really reluctant and I was only allowed to flip through the paper copy on a chair in the waiting room with the practice manager standing over me talking at me while I was trying to concentrate and find the info I needed.

They outright refused to give me the one copy I was legally entitled to, or to let me see my electronic notes, despite the fact I was leaving the country and managing complex medical issues therefore needed my notes. Then they claimed they had "lost" my notes before a certain year.

So yeah, access was granted eventually but it was bloody pointless and very frustrating and I never got the evidence I needed to take abroad so had to start again with literally everything.