Correcting medical records: Your rights

[Simbindi]

I've come across a number of posts that mention the problems patients have with incorrect medical records, so thought it would be good to have a thread on how we can deal with this.

In the UK we actually do have more rights to get action taken on correcting our personal data, including our medical records, than we did in the past.

I haven't done an extensive search, but see for example the article below:

https://www.gponline.com/amending-medical-records-patients-rights/article/1462317

Similar rights are likely to apply in many European countries. I am unsure about the situation outside the UK but it would be great if members could give advice and links in this thread to help members in their own country - and also to help give a broad picture of how the situation is globally.

 

[Simbindi]

For those in the UK, more information regarding the legal aspects of personal data storage, including the changes since 2018, can be found via this site:

https://ico.org.uk/

Edit: This includes how to complain if you are not satisfied with the data holder's action to your request(s)

 

[Simbindi]

I did quite a bit of research on this ages ago (it's at the other place).
I requested several changes to my medical notes but was told that they are the property of the NHS and that they (the GP practice) could not comply. I didn't press the issue even though that is not what the information I had looked at implied.

But from the link you supplied
"Patients should be able to report factual inaccuracies or question the content of the records but they do not have the right to alter their contents because they are upsetting or they disagree with them."

So I would imagine that you would have to provide proof of any factual inaccuracy (which might be difficult, I tried to contact various hospitals to get information that had somehow been lost from my notes, only to find that hospital records are destroyed after x number of years, this seems to vary from one geographical area to another ) and any comments or additional things added to your notes you are stuck with.

You can ask them to add your comments at the appropriate place in your records, e.g. that you disagree with the medical opinion and your reasons why.

 

[OverTheHills]

Does anyone know how to "lose" previous medical records entirely? can you refuse to let older records be used?

I plan to return to the UK next year (2nd attempt) and am happy to bring my perfectly sensible NZ records. But my relationship with my previous NHS practice more than a decade ago was poor, no doubt because i had recently developed ME and still wanted tests and to be treated like a human being. So I would prefer to just have the NZ records in place (nothing of any huge consequence medically before then, other than a lot of allergies and other immune funnies).

I seem to remember you have a right to refuse to let doctors share medical records. Any help gratefully received.

 

[Simbindi]

Does anyone know how to "lose" previous medical records entirely? can you refuse to let older records be used?

I plan to return to the UK next year (2nd attempt) and am happy to bring my perfectly sensible NZ records. But my relationship with my previous NHS practice more than a decade ago was poor, no doubt because i had recently developed ME and still wanted tests and to be treated like a human being. So I would prefer to just have the NZ records in place (nothing of any huge consequence medically before then, other than a lot of allergies and other immune funnies).

I seem to remember you have a right to refuse to let doctors share medical records. Any help gratefully received.

There is a drive for GPs iin England to create a 'Summary Care Record' for all their patients. This can be shared with other care services outside the NHS. You do have the option to 'opt out' of having one or giving consent for sharing health information outside the NHS:

https://digital.nhs.uk/services/summary-care-records-scr

Edit: see also -

https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/keogh...s/Quick-Guide-sharing-patient-information.pdf

 

[OverTheHills]

There is a drive for GPs iin England to create a 'Summary Care Record' for all their patients. This can be shared with other care services outside the NHS. You do have the option to 'opt out' of having one or giving consent for sharing health information outside the NHS:

https://digital.nhs.uk/services/summary-care-records-scr

Edit: see also -

https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/keogh...s/Quick-Guide-sharing-patient-information.pdf

Thanks @Simbindi that's really useful. I think it must be the Summary Care Record I was half-remembering. From a brief skim it does sound like getting control of that would be a smart move and a good start.

 

[CFS_for_19_years]

I've submitted Addendums to my medical record numerous times, mostly for specialist visits. Here are the guidelines for correcting medical records in the USA:
https://www.thedoctors.com/articles/requests-to-amend-a-medical-record/

A patient has the right to request an amendment to his or her medical record. A physician has the right to determine if the change will be made. The medical record should contain both the patient’s request and the physician’s response.

Patient Requests
When a patient requests any kind of amendment to his or her medical record, follow these guidelines to help ensure clear documentation:

• The patient’s request must be in writing, and he or she must sign and date it.
• The request must be directed to the provider who originated the portion of the record the patient wants to amend.
• The request must state which portion of the record the patient wants to amend and specify how it should be amended.
• The patient’s request is then filed in the record with the pertinent entry.

A doctor can also create an addendum. I emailed a doctor who mentioned the wrong medication. He submitted the addendum on his own.

 

[Simbindi]

Yes but they can refuse.
one of the threads on PR covering SCR
https://forums.phoenixrising.me/thr...ening-across-the-uk.48710/page-22#post-806456
(my thread is in members only)

Your post was written in 2017. I have posted the most up to date legislation (2018) and the link that provides information to whom and how to complain if your request is refused. It is up to individuals members if they wish to use this information and if they want to expend the necessary energy in doing so.

 

[Simbindi]

Sorry, did not mean to be a 'know all', just my way of writing. Only trying to help having 'been through the process'. I opted out of all the NHS databases.

Apologies too - I'm autistic, so not good at softening my responses with social niceties. I just didn't want members to be put off trying to challenge negative responses by GPs or hospital consultants/administrators.