Excessive GP Charges for Access to Health Records- NHS Scotland

[affinity]

On applying my GP informed for all records it would be £50.00.

I explained I didn’t need access to all,

the problem I was trying to resolve occurred sometime between 2010-15.

 

I was given a date for viewing, when I arrived there the GP had printed off letters in advance - 38 in total.

20 of these I already had – 2 were irrelevant and 2 was just my registration details.

 

I said I would need to take them home and read them, she tried to convince me to stay and read them there – I stayed approx 30-45 mins.

I did not view records online.

 

A few days later I received an invoice for £50.00.

I emailed the surgery asking for a breakdown of costs – This is what I was emailed back

 

Preparing Notes 10.00

Photocopying of Notes 10.00

Doctor's time £30.00.

 

The practice website reads - You have a right of access to your health records.

A small fee may be charged to cover reproduction costs. I do not consider 50.00 a small fee

 

In the meantime I have accessed other records relating to a hospital admission in 2015

– I went to view the records at the hospital and took away approx 50 photocopies – no charge

 

I have emailed my surgery back and stated my case and am awaiting a reply.

Can anyone share costs they have been charged

– Thanks.

Edited March 24, 2018 by dx100uk
formatting

[stu007]

Hi

 

Welcome to CAG

 

I would say it looks like your GP Surgery has charge you the Maximum amount they are allowed to for accessing your medical records.

 

Couple of links:

 

What are the fees for accessing medical records (health records)?: https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2635.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=160

 

Medical records access and copying fees: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/fees/medical-records

[affinity]

I agree they have charged the max

- however my GP informed me when I first requested access

- if it was all my notes it would be 50.00.

 

I explained what I was trying to determine occurred between 2010-15-

She then asked me to amend my SAR so it didn't read all my records.

If I had known it was going to be 50.00 either way I would have chosen to have them all.

 

When I went to view my records

- she had already printed off what she wanted me to read.

 

Also I can't find it recorded anywhere you have to pay for the GP's time.

If you go to view your online records it is free- you don't pay for the GP's time.

My GP decided in advance to what was to be printed off.

[think about it]

I’d suggest you read chapter ten of the SAR code of practice from the ICO. Much of this depends on how your records are held. If they’re exclusively electronic then the maximum they can charge is £10.00 however if these letters are held in paper records then £50 is correct.

[affinity]

I have no proof of how these are held.

The fact is I was told if it was all my records it would cost 50.00

- that is the reason I amended the SAR to read between 2010-15.

 

Also on NHS Inform it states

- You will always be told the cost before you make a decision.

 

I was never told I would be billed for £50.00.

If I had known it would have been the same I would have opted for all my records.

[dx100uk]

no sure who is getting things wrong

 

but I can assure you it only costs £10

 

and everything must be sent to you in paper format to you address.

 

I've done this twice now

never had an issue..

 

https://nhsnss.org/how-nss-works/data-protection/#part1734_tab

[stu007]

Hi

 

Have a look at this link: https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/using-the-nhs/health-records#accessing-your-health-records

[affinity]

I recently submitted a complaint regarding Hospital records it was rejected as out of time and staff amnesia – incident occurred 2015 – despite me only recently becoming aware of this.

I have since applied for the audit trail relating to the records, as I believe misconduct has occurred. @nhsggc refused me this and said they will examine this internally and if my records have been altered/ accessed inappropriately they will deal with this. This is unacceptable as I have good reason to mistrust them. I am also certain under DP they should be meeting my request and providing me with a copy – can anyone advise?

 

To those who replied to my post earlier this year Excessive GP Charges for Access to Health Records- NHS Scotland. My GP was trying to apply the sales techniques of a dodgy double glazing salesman – trying to charge me £50.00. I challenged this and it was reduced to £30.00. She explained the £30.00 was for her time and referred to it as non -NHS work. I challenged this and the £30.00 became zero.

 

I understand from 25 May 2018, in most cases, patients must be given access to their medical records free of charge. This is due to a change in legislation - GDPR.........Thanks

[BankFodder]

Was your request made under the data protection act?

 

Probably the best thing to do in any event is to wait until 25 May and then submit a new SAR under the new GDPR regime and see whether produces.

[affinity]

Thanks for your reply - do you mean the law is changing regarding audit trails with the introduction of GDPR- does it not already exist?