Accessing medical records

Find out how you can access your medical records, how much it will cost you and how to access someone else's medical files if you need to.

How to access your records

Your doctor's surgery holds your health records. A hospital holds records of any treatment you have had there. You have the right to view these under the Data Protection Act 1998.

You can simply ask your GP, surgery staff or Health Trust if you can inspect your health records. However, it is recommended that you apply for access in writing by sending a letter.

There is usually a charge and you may be asked for proof of identity. According to the Data Protection Act the hospital or surgery has 40 days to respond to a request in writing.

If the records are held at a hospital, you should address the letter to your hospital's records manager and your records, when presented to you, should be in a format that you understand.

If access to records is denied

You will not be allowed access to your records if:

healthcare professionals believe that information in the records is likely to cause serious harm to you or another person
details about third parties are included in the records - these may be removed

However, if you are denied access you can approach the Information Commissioner's Office if you think the organisation has breached the Data Protection Act.