Whenever one has medical consultation a great deal of information is recorded and filed. In the olden days it was all hand written these days it is recorded electronically and probably internally networked. Now we all know how to delete, change, cut and past and do just about anything we like with computer files so now I am thinking "Shipman". If patients records belong to the GP what is to prevent him/her taking full advantage to cover up failure, even misdemeanour without anyone ever knowing? If on the other hand records belong to the patient, I presume if he/she so wished he/she could demand to inspect, buy (or take) a copy for cost for his/her own files? On the whole I am very happy indeed with my doctors and most others in the practice, but tht's me. I know some who think very differently and are not shy to voice it should the subject arise, but in any case my question is general. ("Data protection act 1998/2000" does not answer my basic question of ownership).
In the UK does a patients medical records "belong to the patient" or does it "belong to the GP"?virus protection software
Well, neither and both.
You can request a full copy of your medical records, but not the records themselves. they dont belong to the GP either, because if you change GP they'll send them to your new doctor.The records themselves belong to the NHS, and are held by your GP. Under the law, you can ask for a copy of all records, for a fee if the cost of copying is over 拢100, and they MUST issue you with what you request within 40 days or they may be fined, although some NHS trusts make this time 20 days.
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