Formal requests under the Data Protection Act
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you have a legal right to apply for access to health information held about you. This includes your NHS or private health records held by a GP, optician, or dentist, or by a hospital. A health record contains information about your mental and physical health recorded by Clinician.
Applying for access to your health records
To access your health record, you can do the following:
- Most people can access their health record via the NHS App or Emis Online Services. This is generally the quickest and simplest way. If you need to download the NHS App you can find the link on our home page.
- Submit your request in writing to: Administration Department, Melbourne Park Medical Centre.
- Request it via the using the “contact us online” option in online services which can be found on our website.
- Email your request in to [email protected]
It’s a good idea to state the dates of the records you want when you apply. Your GP will decide whether your request can be approved. They can sometimes refuse to disclose information if, for example the information you have asked for contains information that relates to another person. Under the Data Protection Act, requests for access to records should be met within 40 days.
Can someone else access my health records?
Another person can only access your health records if you authorise them to do so. This should be in writing if possible.