Access To Records

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records.

Such requests should be made to the practice and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.

Accessing your Medical Records at Chobham & West End Medical Practice

Introduction

In accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation, patients (data subjects) have the right to access their data and any supplementary information held by Chobham & West End Medical Practice. This is commonly known as a subject access request (SAR). Data subjects have a right to receive:

· Confirmation that their data is being processed

· Access to their personal data

· Access to any other supplementary information held about them

Options for access

As of April 2016, organisations have been obliged to allow patients access to their coded health record online. As of April 2020, this service now enables the patient to view their prospective full medical record. Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. After you download the app, you will need to set up an NHS login and prove who you are. The app then securely connects to information from your GP surgery. Entire registration process is done on the app, there is no need to visit the practice. Alternatively you can register for online access with the practice. Prior to accessing your data, you will have to visit the organisation and undertake an identity check before being granted access to your records.

In addition, you can make a request to be provided with copies of your health record. To do so, you must submit a SAR form. This can be submitted electronically and the SAR form is available on the organisation website. Alternatively, a paper copy of the SAR is available from reception. You will need to submit the form online or return the completed paper copy of the SAR to the organisation. Patients do not have to pay a fee for copies of their records.

Time frame

Once the SAR form is submitted, Chobham & West End Medical Practice will aim to process the request within 28 days; however, this may not always be possible.

Exemptions

There may be occasions when the data controller will withhold information kept in the health record, particularly if the disclosure of such information is likely to cause undue stress or harm to you or any other person.

Data controller

At Chobham & West End Medical Practice the data controller is the Practice Manager.