The Data Protection Act 1998 allows you to find out what information about you is held on computer and in certain manual records. This is known as right of subject access. It applies to your health records. If you want to see your health records you should make a request to the NHS organisations where you have received treatment.
You can apply to have access to someone else’s only if you are acting on their behalf, for example if you are their parent, carer or next of kin. You will need written authorisation or possibly a court appointment.
Patients have a right to have their personal health information kept confidential, and record holders are obliged to be satisfied that an applicant is the patient, or is otherwise entitled to access that patient's record.
Applications for access to health records held by NHS Wandsworth, the organisation that runs Queen Mary's, should be made to:
Maggie Brennan
Medical Records
Queen Mary’s Hospital
Roehampton Lane
London SW15 5PN
maggie.brennan@wpct.nhs.uk
The Act gives right of access, but NHS Wandsworth can withhold any information which might cause serious harm to physical or mental health, or identify a third party. NHS Wandsworth does not have to disclose the fact that information has been withheld.
A charge of £10 will be made for this service, in addition to the cost of photocopying and postage. Should you require an explanation of any clinical information contained in the record, please contact Maggie who will refer this to the relevant clinician.
You can ask for corrections to be made to the records and you are entitled to a copy of the correction free of charge, or if the record is not corrected a copy of the note recording NHS Wandsworth's comments on the request.