removing something from your nhs records?

dupe

I would like to get something removed from my NHS records, and wondered if there's any legal people on here who could advise me on my rights (or not!) as regards doing this?

Basically, there's something I had done a long time ago, abroad (not here) and I naively mentioned it when I got back to the UK (I should never have said anything, looking back, but hindsight is always a good thing..:() and hence it's now on my medical records.

As there's no hospital or GP record of me having had the treatment here (it was done in Europe), I wonder if I would be able to have it removed from my records.

This has come to light mostly because of the uploading of our GP records (without our consent) to the HSCIC and the risk that the uploaded data may not remain anonymous long-term.

Btw In case anyone's wondering, it's not mental health, or anything 'embarrassing bodies' related, lol. I'm just not comfortable with it being on my records any more.

thehappybutterfly

Im not offering legal advice but what I will say is that the medical person who asked you the question must have felt it was necessary to add this info to your records.

What if whatever it is has an impact on your future health? Or it might be the sort of issue which could influence treatment?

hgotsparkle

I'm guessing something cosmetic was the procedure?What if you get complications in the future? Surely its easier to have it on your records now just in case of any problems later on?

brook2jack

Unfortunately it is often very difficult to get an accurate medical history from people as they often edit out things they think are not relevant, are "ancient history" , or they are embarrassed about or think will effect their future treatment adversely and stop them getting treatments they want. This can make appropriate treatment a nightmare at best and dangerous at worst.

It doesn't matter what the treatment was or the fact it was abroad, it would be impossible to say that it may never have any relevance to problems or treatment you have in future. You should always totally disclose all medical history when asked by a medical professional.

Unless something is wrong , inaccurate etc you should not and cannot remove things from your medical record.

The security of your information is one thing and you can take steps to remove your records from the central spine but a completely accurate medical history is critically important to you.

lostinrates

dupe wrote: »

I would like to get something removed from my NHS records, and wondered if there's any legal people on here who could advise me on my rights (or not!) as regards doing this?

Basically, there's something I had done a long time ago, abroad (not here) and I naively mentioned it when I got back to the UK (I should never have said anything, looking back, but hindsight is always a good thing..:() and hence it's now on my medical records.

As there's no hospital or GP record of me having had the treatment here (it was done in Europe), I wonder if I would be able to have it removed from my records.

This has come to light mostly because of the uploading of our GP records (without our consent) to the HSCIC and the risk that the uploaded data may not remain anonymous long-term.

Btw In case anyone's wondering, it's not mental health, or anything 'embarrassing bodies' related, lol. I'm just not comfortable with it being on my records any more.

I hope my post reassures you.

I have mentioned things I am not proud of in the least to my drs and consultants incase there is chance they impact on my health condition.

I have a dr phobia and often feel poorly served, but I have never felt an admission of something past ( and I feel the same would apply to treatments) has been held against me in the least.

Drs treat smokers, alcoholics and drug takers knowing they are doing things that harm their bodies.


Of you had a proceed use done it could impact down the line either in masking a symptom/problem or creating one.

System

I think you can only remove something from your records if it is erroneous. I wonder if this uploading of patients' data is going to have the knock-on effect that some patients are now distrustful and wary of visiting their GP.

iaps

If you do not want confidential, identifiable information from your medical records to be uploaded and passed on for purposes other than your medical care you can opt out by telling your doctor. You don’t have to book an appointment to do this, you can simply send a letter.

http://medconfidential.org/how-to-opt-out/

summerspring

I guess it comes down to who the records belong to? (ie the patient or the NHS). Because of the Data Protection Act people have more rights these days with regard what's written about them and kept on file. There's no harm in asking for xyz to be deleted, but whether or not they'll do it I don't know. Maybe a legal person will come along who can better advise.

brook2jack

The records belong to the clinician. They are vital not only to the patients well being but also are vital medico legally. A patient is entitled to a copy of the records , normally on paying a reasonable fee to cover costs of copying, but only if there is no information that might be damaging to the patients health and patients do not own the records.

Errors obviously can and should be corrected as they will effect clinical care but information cannot be removed on the basis that it is embarassing etc as it is impossible to tell if this information may be of use in the future.

summerspring

That's interesting. It sounds like the NHS are medically responsible for the patient and therefore the records belong to them, and they will not alter them unless they see fit to do so.

Possibly in other countries where there is no centralised state health system, and the individual is able to be medically responsible for themselves, this kind of issue wouldn't occur.

Bit of an eye-opener, it's something that hadn't crossed my mind before! OP hasn't really given any detail about why they want whatever it was removed from their records, but people need to be aware that when you see your GP or NHS hospital anything you choose to tell them will go onto your record for ever! I'm sure that isn't a problem in the vast majority of cases but there are one or two things I can think of that you wouldn't want lingering on your medical record.

iaps

brook2jack wrote: »

The records belong to the clinician.

Could you - please - provide us with the legal source supporting your statement?

As with the Data Protection Act the NHS is defined to be record-controller/holder/provider and the patient is the subject.