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Access to your medical records:
We are registered under the data protection act.
Confidentiality is taken extremely seriously and we have strict procedures for
protecting your information. Information is held and transferred in writing and
electronically with hospitals and other health providers. This information is
only available to those involved in your care. You have a right to know what
information we hold about you.
Who can apply for access?
Competent patients may apply for access to
their own records, or may authorise a third party, such as their lawyer, to do
so on their behalf. Parents may have access to their child's records if this is
in the child's best interests and not contrary to a competent child's wishes.
People appointed by a court to manage the affairs of mentally incapacitated
adults may have access to information necessary to fulfil their function.
Are there any exemptions?
The main
exemptions are that information must not be disclosed if it is likely to cause
serious physical or mental harm to the patient or another person; or relates to
a third party who has not given consent for disclosure (where that third party
is not a health professional who has cared for the patient).
Can a fee be charged?
Fees
depend on the type of record and whether you want copies of the records or just
to see them. To provide access and copies:
rds held
totally on computer: £10
Records held in part on computer and in part manually: a reasonable fee
of up to £50
Records held totally manually: a reasonable fee of up to £50
To allow patients to read their records (where no copy
is required). No charge is made if you have seen any
health professional in the 40 days previous to your request:
Records held in part on computer and in part manually: £10
Records held totally manually: £10 unless the records have been added to
in the last 40 days when no charge can be made
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