Your medical record card is a life long history of any consultations, treatment, investigations, etc that you have had with your doctor since birth. It follows you around wherever you live in the UK and for that reason you should always let us know of any change of circumstances so that we can ensure that the information we hold about you is accurate.

Even though these days most surgeries use computers, the information held on computer is printed out and a copy placed into your medical record card should you move to another doctor.

Your right to privacy

You have a right to keep personal information confidential between you and your doctor. This applies to everyone over the age of 16 and in certain cases those under 16, however, in order look after you properly we normally share some information about you with others involved in your care, unless you ask us not to. This could include doctors, nurses or others involved in the treatment or investigation of your medical problems.

Because we are a teaching practice, involved in the training of medical students and GP registrars, if you see a registrar or medical student during a consultation, they would be allowed access to your medical record.

The practice staff also have access to medical records. They need to perform tasks such as filing of letters, processing repeat prescriptions and provide information about blood tests, etc.

Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.

Where else do we send patient records?

We are required by law to notify the Government of certain infectious diseases for public health reasons, eg meningitis, mumps, salmonella and other similar infections (but not AIDS).

Doctors cannot refuse to co-operate with a Court of Law without risk of serious punishment.

Solicitors ask for sight of medical records, however, in every such instance, the request will be accompanied by your signed consent. A Solicitor would usually need sight of your entire medical record since limiting access usually means he is unable to fully represent your case. If you do not want to grant full access, you can ask that the records be supplied between two relevant dates rather than allowing a solicitor unrestricted access.

Insurance Companies ask for medical reports on prospective or current clients. Similarly, prospective employers may also wish to investigate your medical history before confirming your appointment to a job. Your signed consent will always accompany such requests. GPs must disclose all relevant medical conditions unless you ask us not to, however, we would then have to inform the requestor that you have instructed us not to make a full disclosure to them, You have the right to see such reports before they are sent, however, if you elect to exercise that right but then do not attend to see the report it will be dispatched to the requestor after 21 days.

Anyone who receives information from us is under a legal duty to keep it confidential.

Can I find our what is in my medical record?

We are happy for you to see what is in your medical records. If you wish to see your record please put your request in writing to the Practice Manager. We are allowed by law to charge a fee to cover administration and costs for providing you with access to your record.

We have a duty to keep your medical record accurate and up-to-date. Please inform us if you believe there is an inaccuracy in your record.

Please note: Medical records in this practice contain statements of opinion about the likely diagnosis accounting for your problem at a particular time. This diagnosis is entered in order that we can monitor the basis of our actions such as prescribing interventions, etc. Since it is an opinion expressed at the time, it is not unusual for the diagnosis in any episode to differ from it. Often when illnesses are first presented to a doctor, the range in severity of symptoms does not allow more than a tentative diagnosis.