Medical Records, can I have embarrassing problem removed?

Lijade

About 4-5 years ago I went to the doctors and was told I had an STD, genital warts. Apparently it is a very common condition not that it made me feel any better, I was devastated as I was not promiscuous it was totally unexpected. It was a locum doctor and he prescribed some cream but I was so shocked and upset that I went to the GNU clinic for a full check up. I did not go back to my GP with this problem after that as they treated me there at the clinic.

I went to my GP last week for something and caught site of the pc screen and there it was in big bold letters so I was quite upset. If I had gone to the GNU clinic from the beginning it would not be on my records as they treat everything with total confidentiality but I had no idea that I'd have it. Is there any way that I can get this removed?

Ted_Hutchinson

NHS POLICY GUIDANCE INFORMATION on access to medical records Have had a look at the guidance here but I can't find any answer to your question.

If the information had been inaccurate you'd have some grounds to have it changed but as it is a correct record of something that actually happened I don't think you would have any right to have it amended.

There is no reason why you shouldn't ask politely if the GP minded altering it. I can see that you don't want to be reminded of the event and would prefer other doctors weren't made aware of this information however I also feel your concerns are groundless. These things happen and no judgements are made by health professionals. I doubt anyone would think it was your promiscuity that was in question anyway, they would as likely consider it was your partner's fault but apportioning of blame is pointless and unprofessional. It happened, it was treated successfully end of story.

I expect there's stuff in my records I'd rather not be reminded of but I think it's probably best forgotten.

pboae

It might be embarrassing but it is better if it stays on your record. Aside from the fact that it could reoccur in you, it is also possible (but very rare) to pass it on to a child during childbirth. In some cases that can even be fatal to the child, so it is critical that Drs know of the risk in advance, so they can help prevent transmission, and also be alerted to possible symptoms in the worse case scenario.

Lijade

It is not so much the doctors but there are so many people now that can read your records. The receptionists at my doctors read them all the time and very soon everyones medical records are going to be put onto the net and that is open to abuse. Insurance companies and employers can see med records. I think opticians can see them and many others. I am not comfortable with all this at all

LondonDiva

It's part of your medical record and it can only be removed if there is an error of fact. Even then, it is only if the GP agrees with you that this is incorrect - (ususally people trying to get records altered have mental health problems and disagree withthe diagnosis) If the GP does not agree with you, all you can do is attach a note to the file stating your disagreement with the infortmaion contained.

If you did have the STD, then it is a statement of fact and part of your medical record and cannot be altered.

mr_rush

genital warts is not an STD.
it is not possible for your GP to 'remove' it from your health records.
you had gential warts - this needs to be documented, especially as you were given treatment for it.
deleting this is actually illegally tampering with medical records - no doctor will do it i'm afraid.

just forget about it.
gential warts are more common then you think - believe me, in 4months of general practice i saw a lot of cases

DownintheMouth

I think everyone should know that your Medical Records will soon be open for 100,000's more administrators and civil servants to read when they are all uploaded centrally this month, without telling anyone before it happens !!!

The DoH are assuming a consent to do this, so you have to actually write to prevent this and ask that "your" medical records stay at your Doctor's only, as they have been held confidentially and protected for years already.

If you value your medical confidentiality, I suggest you and your family members opt-out ASAP - visit https://www.thebigoptout.org for more info. and a template letter you can use - I have used this at my Doctors with no problems at all, but it seems clear some other Medical Practices have already uploaded ALL their records already and everywhere is planning to do this by the end of February, so be quick !

These records will also be used to check "performance management" targets of GPs ,Nurses etc. and of course if they wish they can see if their neighbours/friends/relatives have HIV, depression, abuse since childhood etc, etc.

In short, there are simply not sufficient safeguards in place and access by non-medical people is also widespread and unaccountable compared to our medical colleagues in Practice.

The Sun and the News of the World are going to love all those juicy secrets they can bribe non-professionals to get

Anyone else concerned about how quietly this is being done?

Yours, Down in the Mouth

joannemc3

i am very concerned , how dare they do this without patients consent !!!!! diabolical !!! i am disgusted

maypole

MY GOD! This is horrifying, I have never heard of it so it must have een kept quiet.

loveandlight

I have this morning dropped off to my GP letters from all my family opting out of the free for all oops sorry, loading of our medical records onto a National Database. ( I hope it won't be too late as I note the deadline is end of this month). This also means the U.S. government will be able to access our medical records as our U.K. government gave them permission to be able to access information about us once we booked a flight to the States.Thanks for telling us about this DownintheMouth! Thanks for nothing U.K. Government!

queensway_boy

LondonDiva wrote:

It's part of your medical record and it can only be removed if there is an error of fact. Even then, it is only if the GP agrees with you that this is incorrect - (ususally people trying to get records altered have mental health problems and disagree withthe diagnosis) If the GP does not agree with you, all you can do is attach a note to the file stating your disagreement with the infortmaion contained.

If you did have the STD, then it is a statement of fact and part of your medical record and cannot be altered.

I had something on my records which was deff an error of fact,i still don't know if its been removed,even my doctor at the time agreed with me