Data Protection Act 1998
Patients are entitled to see their medical records (with certain exceptions).
Under the Data Protection Act 1998 patients have the right to see letters written by one clinician (eg doctor ) to another clinician, this might be requesting that you be seen (a referral letter) so that you can be given a diagnosis of your symptoms, or referring you for clinical tests or treatment, or explaining test results or giving a diagnosis. If you wish to see a letter written about you please ask your doctor or the receptionist.
It is now possible to request that letters are shared with you or copied to you. Before this can happen you must give your consent. It is hoped that, by knowing what has been said about you your understanding of the health care that you should be receiving will be improved.
Next time that a clinician wishes to refer you they will discuss whether you would like to receive a copy of the referral letter. If so, whether you would like to see it next time you visit the practice, or collect it from the practice, or receive it in the post.
Further information about how you can view your medical records is available from the Practice Manager Mrs Pam Wreford.
Freedom of Information - Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the “classes” of information the practice intends to routinely make available.
Details of the scheme are available from the Practice Manager Mrs Pam Wreford