Request for maternity records

Anastasia

I think it may be to do with gaining consent of the people who have written the records. I am a midwife and I have some recollection about this being the case. Think I might look into this out of interest.

niklepic

The Data Protection Act allows you to see the personal information that is held about you by organisations of all types – such as the NHS in the public sector or your bank in the private sector. Examples of personal information include your name, address and telephone number, your bank account number, your medical records and the things you buy when you are shopping.

The Freedom of Information Act gives you rights to see official information held by public authorities such as local councils, hospitals and the police . For example, you could ask your local council for information about hygiene inspections in local restaurants or ask a university for exam pass rates.

The hospital can also charge you up to £50 for copies of your records under the Data Protection Act

MrsManda

I think Niklepic has explained the difference between FOI and DPA. There are only two reasons under the Data Protection Act which means that you can't have a copy of your notes:

1. could cause harm to the physical or mental health or condition of the patient or any other person

2. would disclose information about a third party without their consent - the example in the literature being a parent requesting to see their child's records when the record has a comment from the child about their parent.

so you should get your notes but they might have some bits blanked out. For more information you can read the guidance on accessing medical records from the Department of Health