Medical Records

[Coz]

I'm curious, has anyone requested a copy of their medical records? I'm contemplating requesting mine because my I'd like to know what they say about me basically. If anyone has requested them were they helpfull at all? And what do you actually have to do to get them? Is it as simple as asking at your GP surgery?

[oreo75]

You need to get in touch with the practice manager or if it's your hospital notes the patient liasion officer. The hospital usually charge about £10 to look & charge up to £50 to have copies. They might want you to have a doctor or nurse with you when you look at them.

You have a right to see them, so they shouldn't refuse you & if they do then contact your area health authority.

[Eva37]

hi.
Sorry I've dont know.
Eva

[Coz]

Thanks for the info, I knew they could (and probably would) charge for copies of my records, I just didn't know it would be so much £50 seems like a lot to see what's been written about me! I might just go for my GP records, hopefully it won't be as expensive. I need to go see them anyway!!

[G2]

I've never asked about seeing them or getting copies so i don't know about that sorry. I am quite curious as to what they've wrote about me... I've usually tried looking over the doctors shoulder sometimes to read the letters on screen. hehe!

[*Shellie_Star*]

When you're in hospital, the file they have on you there that they leave on your bed, is that ALL your records? I had a nosey through mine and it was quite cool. It had referal letters from my doctor expaining all about me, what my personailty was like etc., xrays of my ovaries and other stuff, also said that I was a very nice young lady who has a very supprotive family. So that was nice to read about me and their thoughts etc.,

It's disgusting to pay £50 for your own records though!!!!!!!

[PollySis]

I would go and ask, as it may be free. I requested copies of one of my son's entire medical records since birth, once - got the whole lot and they didn't charge me a penny. So it varies from practice to practice, hospital to hospital. The records I got were from a hospital consultant and the GP, and neither charged.

[Coz]

Thanks for all the info!!

I always look overn the shoulder of my doctors when I go but they don't have my full notes out when I go to my GP, just the edited highlights on the computer. I'm a bit curious to know what they've written, I've cried in the surgery so many times when I was depressed, I don't know what they would have thought about me, especially as I've cried over really trivial things!! And seen some doctors who have made me come out of the surgery feeling worse than when I went in!!

I did actually overhear a doctor (for my RSI not my PCOS) dictate what I presume was a letter to my GP and he was pretty nice about me!!

I'm definately going to ask about getting my hands on them!! And I'm hoping my doctors aren't going to charge the earth for them!!

[SuzanneStar]

Ohh im ight have to pay a visit to my local sugery i had no idea you could do this lol shows you what i am like lol

Would love to read about my medical history

[cazza77]

Can I just say thanks for posting this, simply because you gave me the idea of getting mine. Fortunately for me my solicitor Claiming for an road accident injury) had already requested them so i am geting a copy for myself.

I am really curious to find out what my docs have been putting about me. I recently had some genetics testing done and they were all clear - hurray! And I was given the go ahead TTC but was warned I was more than likely to get pregnancy diabetes - great! I was told that if i felt funny or dizzy to get in touch with them and if i couldn't go to A&E.

Now this got me thinking..... When I was pregnant the first time I went to the docs to say i was feeling dizzy and being very sick, there was a locum there but he said i had a urine infection and needed to check with a test sample...... few days later rang for results and was told it was negative, by the receptionist, when i asked what could be the answer if this DR was so sure thats what i had, after talking to the doctor she laughed at me and said i just had morning sickness, in a tone of not to be so stupid.

I can't wait to see what they have said..... and it will cost you to get the records, is put down to an admin fee but you are in your rights to ask for them, data protection and all that.

Cazza

PS sorry for going on a bit

[Cara:ukcyster]

morning ladies.

to request to see you medical notes you have to notify the gp practice manager for gp notes and the senior manager for the hospital for hospital notes, they can and will charge you.

i wonder how useful it is to look in your notes as they can remove anything they want to prior to you viewing them, so if there s anything that is not nice they can remove it.

good luck if you decide to read them, but remember the people who write in your notes (hospital) generally only see a window of your life which is usually influenced by your illness / wellness at the time.

Cara

[cazza77]

I didn't think they could remove anything because of data protection. I thought it was illegal to holdback anything if you had asked to see them.

I totally agree with what you are saying about them only seeing you when you are ill or going through a trauma though. I am quite nervous about reading mine, mainly because it might upset me reliving the things i have been through in the past year, but i think they way I was treated by my doctors will become clear and I think I will be very angry and find it hard not to kick off at them.

Cazza

[Coz]

Apparently they can take out information if they think that it would cause 'serious harm' to you or someone else, or if there's something in there about a third party. So basically they could take something out and say it fell into these categories, I guess.

[cazza77]

Shocking!

[Cara:ukcyster]

medical notes are covered by data protection however special exceptions have been made.... quote from the Department of Health: You have a right to see your medical notes (records). However, the holder of the records may refuse to let you see them if he or she thinks it might be harmful to your physical or mental health.

hense they can take bits out.

Good luck, sorry you have had a rough year i hope it gets better.

Cara