Ca I request pets X Rays?

[JerBean]

My cat died at the hands of a vet . The vet refuses to give me copies of the x rays even though I offered to pay for the copies. Does anyone know what to do to get these?

Edited December 12, 2014 by JerBean

[citizenB]

I am not sure how you would obtain these. Was your cat insured, perhaps your insurer could insist on a copy.

 

I will try and find someone who might be able to help.

[citizenB]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?247377-Vet-misdiagnosis

 

The thread linked above might be worth having a read of.

[JerBean]

No she was not insured unfortunatley but any help in how i get them is appreciated.

[JerBean]

Thanks for the link Citizen B Will read.

[JerBean]

Citizen B. I did read it but it doesnt mention about obtaining x-rays only something called "subject access required" does anone know wat that is and if that helps me?

[citizenB]

A subject access request is a request for all data in respect of the individual - it costs £10.00 and the company has 40 calendar days in which to supply this. After which time, you can either escalate a complaint to the Information Commissioner or issue a county court claim for the court to order to the company to provide the information.

 

You can use the draft request in the link below - or adapt it to suit your requirements.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?387306-Full-Subject-Access-Request

[JerBean]

Hi again. It is not for an individual though it is for my cats x-rays. Does it apply to an animal and the vet have to comply? Thanks for the help

[citizenB]

The Cat will be registered in your name, so I suspect that this will work.

 

IMHO, unless they provide the xrays, then I am not sure they can ask you to pay their bill ?

[hightail]

You are the individual as you are the client. A Subject Access Request will work. Ask for ALL information and make specific mention of test results including x-rays so they can't 'forget' to include them. I really don't know why some vets get like this. Did you ask the vet or was it a receptionist who decided to make up the rules?

[JerBean]

Hi, I asked the vet and now the mangaer of the whole practice (they have about 30 surgeries) and he is more stubborn than ever. I have requested in letters and many e mails and nothing they won't budge. I guess they want to try and make it as difficult as possible for me in hope I wil give up. Is this subject access request just that letter in the template and do they by law have to give me all the recrods as the x-rays were in my pets name. For instnace the blood tests whichI do have say owner/ patient name as my last name then coma with my pets name with my address? not sure what the x-rays ay on them as have not seen them.

[JerBean]

Forgot to add I paid by credit crd and it has gone through so they have the payment but I dont have copies of the x-rays depsite requesting many times fromally in e mails and letter. It makes me think they are hiding something as she died in their care that day and she only went in for an x-ray! The £10 mentioned to get this access request report... who do you make the cheque out to for the £10? As stubborn as they have been so far they will probaly ignore the request so back to square one?

[hightail]

A Subject Access Request is something they are required to respond to by law. They cannot refuse. Go in with the letter and a ten pound note. Make it clear in the surgery it is an SAR and they cannot refuse. If they attempt any waffle just keep asserting it is an SAR.

[hightail]

It makes me think they are hiding something as she died in their care that day and she only went in for an x-ray!

 

 

Hmm. Makes you wonder if there ever was an x-ray doesn't it. If she died as a result of the sedation before they did it there wouldn't be any reason to go ahead with it. It does happen I'm afraid and there's no reason for the vet to get cagey about it.

[citizenB]

You make the cheque/postal order for the SAR out to the surgery.

 

They MUST provide you with any data that is specifically for you and your cat.

[JerBean]

Thanks Citizen b and hightail. There were definatley x-rays as I saw them the night she died bu they are disputing how many now also. I saw 3 or 4 they say there were only 2. Question: in the letter template for the subject access request at the top where it says account reference number> what do I put there? Do I put my name? Alsi in the letter where it says please suppluy me with all copies of all data that you hold on me... do I also mention my pets name as they may just give me informaotjn on me and not my deceased cat? Do I send it to the registerd office or the actual vets practice as its alarge firm with many outlets? Do I have to pay them £10 and if so I really dont want to go into the surgery again as I want proof I paid and the letter was recieed so would I be better sending a cheque or money order and a registred letter? I cannot e mail the letter can I as I ned to enclose the £10? I guess there is other evidence in the data they hold on me and my cat that maybe uselfull for me to take my case further? Hightail did anything happen further for you with the RCVS holding the vet to account? Iwonder how many people actually take legal action against the vet?

[citizenB]

Thanks Citizen b and hightail. There were definatley x-rays as I saw them the night she died bu they are disputing how many now also. I saw 3 or 4 they say there were only 2.

 

Question: in the letter template for the subject access request at the top where it says account reference number> what do I put there? Do I put my name? Alsi in the letter where it says please suppluy me with all copies of all data that you hold on me... do I also mention my pets name as they may just give me informaotjn on me and not my deceased cat? Do I send it to the registerd office or the actual vets practice as its alarge firm with many outlets?

 

Do I have to pay them £10 and if so I really dont want to go into the surgery again as I want proof I paid and the letter was recieed so would I be better sending a cheque or money order and a registred letter? I cannot e mail the letter can I as I ned to enclose the £10? I guess there is other evidence in the data they hold on me and my cat that maybe uselfull for me to take my case further? Hightail did anything happen further for you with the RCVS holding the vet to account? Iwonder how many people actually take legal action against the vet?

 

 

If this were me, I would put both my name and my pet's name.

 

The letter should be addressed to "Data Controller. I guess there is no harm in sending it to the practice address that you use. You must enclose a cheque or postal order for the statutory fee.

 

If you don't want to go into the surgery, then post it using either special delivery or recorded delivery. I personally would pay for the special delivery as it will get there next day and Royal Mail will obtain a signature for you (which you can download from their website).

[JerBean]

Hi Guys, Update I managed to get the vets to release the x-rays today and I had them sent over to a copiers but the copiers tell me they are such poor quality they canot be copied! so maybe they did something to them so they know they cannot be copied? I still intend to send the SAR letter though to get all the information but want to try and get a copy of the xrays before I do. If they wont copy because they are so bad wuality I dont know what the next action plan is? any advice...

[lancslucy]

I'm very surprised your vets initially refused to let you have the x-rays. The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct states: 13.6 The Data Protection Act 1998 gives anyone the right to be informed about any personal data relating to themselves on payment of an administration charge. At the request of a client, veterinary surgeons must provide copies of any relevant clinical and client records, including radiographic images and similar documents.

 

As regards the quality of the images, does the practice use a digital processor? If so, ask them to save the images onto a disc for you. It's easily done.

[JerBean]

They refued to give me the x rays and said I only oaid for the interpretation of them! I finally got the negatives after a long time only because I agreed to find a copy place and get them courired there and back to them. they would not even let me pick them up or have them delivered special royal mail delivery. They have been obsturcting my every move. They are now being digitally copied at great expense to me. they told me they could not make copies so it has been left to me. I

[James31]

Hi Jerbean. I've just read your thread, did you manage to get a copy of the full medical history for your cat in the end? If you did send the SAR request mid december, the 40 day limit would be up by now...

[JerBean]

Hi James

I did get access to the x rays and took them to a place to get them digitally copied it took me 7 weeks to get them and I now have then in Dicom digital format but sent them to anther vet and they told me sweet FA I think they all stick together to protect each other even though the vet I used was negligent and has falsified his notes but he got everyone int he vets who worked thee also to write sfalse statemnts baccking him up so its me against them. I have filed a complaint with the RCVS but I am only at the first post and vet replied with compete lies again so I have to respond. In the end I threatened them with informing the RCVS and the RVC and told them about the data protction act so thaty worked, thank you! the vets clinical notes were alsoe doctored but its there word against mine!