Access to your GP Records Online
The NHS wants to give people better ways to see their personal health information online. We know that people want to be able to access their health records. The NHS App can help you see test results faster. It also lets you read and review notes from your appointments in your own time.
We have now joined the full access of the NHS App, where you can see all the information within your health record automatically. If you are over 16 and have the NHS App, you will now be able to see all future notes and health records from your doctor (GP). Some people can already access this feature, this won’t change for you.This means that you will be able to see notes from your appointments, as well as test results and any letters that are saved on your records. This only applies to records from your doctor (GP), not from hospitals or other specialists. For most people, access will be automatic, and you won’t need to do anything, just sign up to the App.
Your doctor (GP) may talk to you to discuss test results before you are able to see some of your information on the app and not all results will be received at the same time.If you do not wish to have the NHS App, you can still access your health records by requesting this information through an e-Consult. If you are a carer and would like to see information about someone you care for, speak to our reception staff.
The NHS App, website and other online services are all very secure, so no one is able to access your information except you. You’ll need to make sure you protect your login details. Don’t share your password with anyone as they will then have access to your personal information.If you do not want to see your health record, or if you would like more information about these changes, please speak to your GP or reception staff.
Understanding Your Health Record
You can view some commonly used abbreviations on the NHS website, which may help you understand your records. Whilst we will endeavour to respond to any queries about your records, please bear in mind that we must prioritise our workload and deal with patients that are unwell and need us. You can book routine telephone calls online via the NHS app should you wish to discuss a particular issue, but please do not use appointments purely to request something is removed from or changed within your notes.
As above, please contact us in writing, via our website and we will liaise with the clinical team and respond within an appropriate time frame – as with most administrative requests this can be up to 28 days.
Querying Your Medical Records
From 3rd May 2023, Lodge Health Partnership patients using the NHS app will be able to view all new entries made in their GP records. This is an NHS initiative to give patients greater access to their health information.
Upon reviewing your records, you may feel that certain notes made by our clinicians are incorrect and you may wish to request that they are removed.
The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 state that an individual has the ‘right to be forgotten’, which is sometimes called the ‘right to erasure’, however medical records are slightly different in that they hold special category data. The GP’s (or other clinician’s) opinion at the time will not alter, therefore we cannot remove information simply at the patient’s request.In line with the General Medical Council’s (GMC) guidance, Doctors have an obligation to:· Keep clear, accurate and legible records.· Make records at the time the events happen, or as soon as possible afterwards.
The NHS constitution states that as a patient, “You have the right to have any factual inaccuracies in your health record corrected, however there are limited exceptions to this right, there is no obligation to amend something in a health record that is a professional opinion”, i.e. the GP’s opinion at the time.· Source: www.gov.uk.
This also applies to data that forms part of your medical record, for example letters and forms issued by other Healthcare organisations involved in your care that have supplied copies to us as your General Practice/registered GP. Data on your record is only to be used in relation to direct care purposes, and if considered to be used for anything else, it would need to have the relevant lawful basis and other data protection principles applied.
Should you request any corrections or redactions, we will review your request and if we decide we are not able to comply we will inform you of this decision. We will also ensure we add details of your request to your record and the reasons why we have not been able to comply. Please make any such requests in writing via e-Consult.
‘Please note that some records may not automatically be shared due to previously applied codes. Please contact the Practice if you find this to be the case and would like this to be reviewed.’
