Doctors and patient confidentuality

iammumtoone · 26 April 2018 at 5:58PM

If someone signs away their confidentiality and gives the rights to someone to access medical records, can that person go to the doctors and ask that the appointment is kept confidential whilst still allowing access to the previous records.

If it makes a difference the issue the new visit is needed is related to the reason patient had to sign away confidentially rights.

Before anyone asks I will not be going into details why as a) i don't want to and b) I am sure the question can be answered without the finer details needed.

Thanks

GlasweJen · 26 April 2018 at 6:08PM

I would say that if you've written to say that for example your insurance provider can see your medical records then you're signing for them to see anything up until that date.

You might come across some issues if they ask for further letters, mine asked for a letter and also the notes from all my consultations for the last 5 years and I had to sign another consent form. I imagine that if I'd refused they would have refused to insure me.

iammumtoone · 26 April 2018 at 7:56PM

Thanks unfortunately I wasn't given a copy of what I signed and I didn't ask for one

I don't think it was dated so not sure if your logic will apply.

I was thinking more do I have the right to ask the doctor to keep an appointment confidential and separate from the agreement I signed. I am scared to ask the doctor as if the answer is no then I assume my question will be logged and will become part of the information I have allowed access to.

Nicki · 26 April 2018 at 8:31PM

You can withdraw your consent at any time. So if the doctor has already provided the info, you can withdraw consent to him providing any more info. If he hasn't provided it at all yet, then he will just refuse to provide any.

You can't force him though to omit relevant information but still provide a report.

iammumtoone · 26 April 2018 at 8:41PM

Nicki wrote: »

You can withdraw your consent at any time. So if the doctor has already provided the info, you can withdraw consent to him providing any more info. If he hasn't provided it at all yet, then he will just refuse to provide any.

Thanks. If I go down this route do I withdraw consent via the Doctors or do I need to go back to the original person I signed the consent form with and withdraw through them.

Nicki · 26 April 2018 at 9:19PM

I would do it via the doctor.

Cyclizine · 28 April 2018 at 10:39AM

You certainly need to tell your doctor - I'd do it in writing. I'm not sure the reasons for you wishing to withdraw consent, but be aware if it's to do with insurance or benefits then there may be knock-on effects to you.

indsty · 29 April 2018 at 2:04PM

Your decision really relies on who you have given permission to. If, for instance it is for absence from work and the Occupational Health department has requested a report, then the only information your GP will give is what is relevant to your work situation. You would also have the right to see the GP report before it is sent to Occ. Health.

Talk to your doctor and find out exactly what will be happening in your particular case.

Thisishowyoudoit · 30 April 2018 at 5:49PM

I see quite the issues with this situation. I would do what the others have said and ask your doctor, but this isn't so black and white.

Doctors and patient confidentuality

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