Obtaining medical records

[Angelbones12]

Am I entitled to obtain all my medical records from my Doctors who are refusing to pass on my records in pursuit of an accident claim. Does the Freedom of info. Act allow this?

[bednobs]

yes you are entiltled to see both doctors and hospital record s of your own. They are entited to make a charge f up to �50 for photocopying. Who have you asked about the records?

[Angelbones12]

No one yet , bednobs ,but my Doctors are refusing to pass on my medical records to my solicitors and LT's reps. when their receptionist phoned me as I am making a claim against LT when I broke my hip when the bus stopped abruptly and I fell over hard. They point to the fact that I have moved out of their locality and get myself a new Doctor in spite of the fact the practice manager knew when I married that I had moved. It should not factor into them releasing my medical records and I think �50 is unreasonable as I hardly ever go for consults or treatment, so should not have much material to photocopy.

[factor-fiction]

Access to Medical Reports Act covers this.

Lots of stuff is available on the web. For example:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/occ_health/forms/Medic al_reports_act.pdf

[bednobs]

i'm not surprised they wont release them to someone else - how would you like it if i asked to see your medical records and they said yes?

anyway, the fee is up to �50, so it might not be exactly 50 quid. However it will also take someones time to pull your records and do the copying so you have t factor that in too

[cassa333]

If you move out of the area you should register with another doctor wether you go often or no.

The records should only be disclosed in compliance with data protection laws so perhaps this hasn't been met and that is why they haven't sent them.

The answer is to sign up with another doctor and get your records sent to them and then give permission for the insurance company to get access to them.

[pfabc123]

Hi Angelbones12.
Sorry to hear of your accident and I hope you are recovering ok.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you have a legal right to access your health records. If you want to see your health records, you can ask at your GP surgery, and arrange a time to come in and read them. You don't have to give a reason for wanting to see your records.

If you want to see your health records, you may be asked to submit your request in writing. It's a good idea to state the dates of the records that you want to see - for example, from 2000-2003 - and to send the letter by recorded delivery. You should also keep a copy of your letter for your records. You will usually receive a response to your request within 21 days, although the law states that your hospital, or surgery, has up to 40 days to respond.
Hospital records

As well as having a copy of your health records, your GP surgery will also have a summary of any hospital tests, or treatment, that you have had. Any hospitals where you have had treatment, or tests, will also hold records.

To see your hospital health records, you will have to contact your local Hospital Trust. See the 'further information' section below to find the contact details for your local trust.

Your request to see your records will be forwarded to the health records manager. The manager will decide whether your request will be approved. Your request will usually only be refused if your records manager, GP, or other health professional believes that information in the records is likely to cause you, or another person, serious harm.
If your records have been updated in the last 40 days - that is, you have seen your GP, or another health professional, in the last 40 days, you're entitled to see your records free of charge. However, if your records are held on a computer, there may be an administration charge of up to �10.
You should ask your surgery, or