What would happen if I destroyed my medical record?

summerspring

Can you clarify? Is it hospital records?

The NHS unfortunately will not let anyone correct what's on their record or delete anything at all, which is why you need to be careful what you tell them. And no you can't just walk out of the room holding the paper notes in your hand :rotfl:

welshdent

They also arent "your" records. They are records about you which you are entitled to have copies of. But they are the legal records of the practitioner. I should find it highly unlikely they would allow you to just saunter off with them.

DepositSaver

As already pointed out, you can't just ask to see your records at an appointment and have them handed over to you. If the consultant was willing to have to see them informally, they would show them to you rather than give them to you.

If the doctor isn't happy/doesn't have time for you to see them informally you would need to make a formal access request. You would then get copies of what is on your notes, minus anything that the consultant feels may be harmful, or that is about others. You may well be charged for for viewing the records.

theoretica

I really doubt that a doctor would ever hand you your records without glancing at them first, to know what you might see/ask and incase there is anything they think you shouldn't see. So even if you did tear it up I would assume that it would be replaced in your records as 'patient destroyed document X showing Y'.

Laurensalive

You have to formally request a copy of your medical records. Hospital ones go through the hospital and GP ones see the practice. There will be a fee. Wait and see what it says. If not happy with the comments. Seek litigation. There are plenty of no win no fee firms about. Make sure you ask for all back medical records on file. If you want updated medical records then you will have to pay another fee. So make sure you get all in one go. X rays, blood tests, any notes etc.

ciderwithrosie_2

You cannot have something removed from your medical records (unless it's someone else's records that have mistakenly got mixed up with yours). You can ask to have an addendum - that you do not agree with this opinion/diagnosis, but I would doubt the usefulness of this. Better to just let whatever it is fall off the radar than keep bringing it back to attention.

BarneyRubble

GenghisKhan86 wrote: »

OK I am currently in the process of trying to get some information removed from my medical record....Unfortunately I haven't had any joy so far....So I was just wondering what would happen if I refused to give it back?

Tia folks

Your new medical record would probably have 'Fuc£w1T' written across it in big red letters!

kirtondm

The medical records belong to the practioner. They are needed in case they are sued so they will not be giving you all copies.

Mojisola

kirtondm wrote: »

The medical records belong to the practioner. They are needed in case they are sued so they will not be giving you all copies.

In our GPs' practice, only more recent records are held on computer. The older records only exist on paper.

You can get a print-off of the records held on computer for £10 but if you want to see the earlier ones, you have to go into the surgery and work your way through the paper files.

I don't know if someone watches you the whole time you are with the records.