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Online access to your medical record

Prospective (Future) Access to Your Medical Record

The NHS wants to give patients better ways to see their personal health information online.  We know that patients want to be able to access their health records.  It can help you see test results faster.  It also lets you read and review notes from your appointments in your own time.

We’re now letting you see all the information within your health record.  If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as through the NHS App, NHS Website, or other GP Online Services and Apps, you will now automatically be able to see all future information entered on your medical record.  Some patients can already access this feature, this won’t change for you.

This means that you will be able to see records from your appointment, as well as test results and any letters that are saved on your records.  This only applies to records from your doctor (GP), not from  hospitals or other specialists, although you will be able to see any letters that hospitals or specialists send to your doctor (GP).  For most patients, access will be automatic, and you won’t need to do anything.

Your doctor (GP) may talk to you to discuss test results before you are able to see some of your information on the app.  Your doctor (GP) may also talk to you before you are given full record access to make sure that having access is of benefit to you.  If you are concerned that seeing your record is not right for you, you should speak with us.

These changes only apply to patients with online accounts.  If you do not want an online account, you can still access your GP health record by requesting this information from reception, via a Subject Access Request.  The changes also only apply to personal information about you.  If you are a carer and there is a need for you to be able to view the medical information of the person you care for, the practice has a formal process in place for you to be able to request this.  Please ask at our reception desk.

The NHS App, website and other online services are all very secure.  You’ll need to make sure you protect your login details.  Do not share your password with anyone, as they will then have access to your personal information.

If you do not want to see your health record, or if you would like more information about these changes, please speak with either your GP or one of our reception team.  You can also read more by going to https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-to-get-your-medical-records/

Retrospective (Past) Access to Your Medical Record

The Dunstan Partnership, has, for the last year and a half, been offering patients the opportunity to request prescriptions, book and cancel appointments, and change their contact details online. We are now extending this service to being able to view your medical records online using the same system called Patient Access.

Being able to see your record online may help you to manage your medical conditions. It also means that you can even access your records from anywhere in the world, should you require medical treatment on holiday. If you decide not to join, or wish to withdraw, this is your choice and our practice staff will continue to treat you in the same way as before. In general, this decision, will not affect the quality of care you receive from The Dunstan Partnership.

You will be given login details, so you will need to think of a password which is unique to you. This will ensure that only you are able to access your record – unless you choose to share your details with a family member or carer.

It will be your responsibility to keep your login details and password safe and secure. If you know or suspect that your record has been accessed by someone that you have not agreed should see it, then you should change your password immediately.

If you can’t do this for some reason, we recommend that you contact the practice so that we can remove online access until you are able to reset your password.

If you print out any information from your record, it is also your responsibility to keep this secure. If you are at all worried about keeping printed copies safe, we recommend that you do not make copies at all.

Before you apply for online access to your record, there are some other things to consider

Although the chances of any of these things happening are very small, you will be asked that you have read and understood the following before you are given login details.

Forgotten history

There may be something you have forgotten about in your record that you might find upsetting.

Abnormal results or bad news

If we have given you access to test results or letters, you may see something that you find upsetting to you. This may occur before you have spoken to your doctor or while the surgery is closed and you cannot contact us.

Choosing to share your information with someone

It’s up to you whether or not you share your information with others – perhaps family members or carers. It’s your choice, but also your responsibility to keep the information safe and secure.

Coercion

If you think you may be pressured into revealing details from your patient record to someone else against your will, it is best that you do not register for access at this time.

Misunderstood information

Your medical record is designed to be used by clinical professionals to ensure that you receive the best possible care. Some of the information within your medical record may be highly technical, written by specialists and not easily understood. If you require further clarification, please contact the surgery for a clearer explanation.

Information about someone else

If you spot something in the record that is not about you or notice any other errors, please log out of the system immediately and contact the practice as soon as possible.

For more information about keeping your healthcare records safe and secure, you will find a helpful leaflet produced by the NHS in conjunction with the British Computer Society.

A copy of the leaflet will be provided to you if you decide to sign up for online access to your medical records, together with a frequently asked questions guide for patients that we recommend you read before signing the Online Access Registration Form.

Further information

If you would like to sign up for Online Access to your medical record, please ask one of our receptionists to provide you with an information pack.

At present, we are only making this service available to patients who are aged 18 and over.

The practice has the right to remove online access to services for anyone who doesn’t use them responsibly.

Date published: 23rd February, 2022
Date last updated: 4th November, 2023