These are records which:
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Consist of information relating to the physical or mental health condition of an individual, and
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have been made by or on behalf of a health professional in connection with the care of that individual
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All patients have the right to see their own health records under the Data Protection Act 1998. In addition, personal representatives of deceased patients and any person who has a claim arising from the patient’s death may have access to the records under the Access to Health Records Act 1990.
Patients should note that access to their health records is exempted under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and that the process and timescale for completing applications under the Data Protection Act 1998 is different. The Trust has 40 days in which to complete most applications.
There are two ways by which patients may access their own health records. If the patient has left hospital or consultation, they can either receive a copy of the records or make an appointment to view the records at the hospital. (This formal request process is described in detail below). The request must be made in writing by completing and returning an application form to the Trust. There is also an information request process that can be made by the patient at the time of consultation or during an in-patient episode.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, the following can have access to their records held by the West Middlesex University Hospital Trust in accordance with the Trust’s Records Management Policy:
The applicant also has a right to the following:
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The right to ask for corrections to be made to the record and to request a copy of the corrections. It the Trust considers that no correction is necessary, the applicant must be given an explanation for the decision and the Trust must lodge the request and the reason for refusal on the notes. Any correction made must not obliterate the entry – the notes are a contemporaneous record. The original entry (or entries) cannot be removed
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Children over 16 and those under 16 who are capable of understanding the significance of their records’ disclosure must give their own consent to access. This judgement must be made by the healthcare professional in charge of the child’s care. Otherwise, authority must be given by an individual who has parental responsibility under the Children’s Act 1989.
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The Trust has the right to deny access to the patient’s health records if one of the following conditions apply:
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If in the Trust’s opinion, based on the assessment of the healthcare professional in charge of the care, access would disclose information likely to cause serious harm to the physical or mental health or condition of the patient or to any other person
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Download the Patient Authority Consent Form below. Information on charges can be found below.
Applications should be made in writing using an application form. The completed form should be sent to:
Health Records Department
West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
Twickenham Road
Isleworth
Middlesex
TW7 6AF
Alternatively you can call the Health Records Department on 020 8321 6185.
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Download the Patient Representative Authority Consent Form below. Information on charges can be found below.
Applications should be made in writing using an application form. The completed form should be sent to:
Health Records Department
West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
Twickenham Road
Isleworth
Middlesex
TW7 6AF
Alternatively you can call the Health Records Department on 020 8321 6185.
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Request for health records made under the Data Protection Act 1998
Health records: £20.00 to £50.00 dependent upon the number of sheets.
These charges include postage and packing.
Request for health records of a deceased person made under the Access to Health Records Act 1990
Requests will be charged between £20.00 to £50.00 dependent upon the number of sheets.
These charges include postage and packing.
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An appointment can be made for patients to view their own health records on Trust premises. A member of staff will be present to assist with unfamiliar terminology. There is no charge for viewing records.
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More detailed information can be found on the frequently asked questions about accessing health records page on the Department of Health’s website:
www.dh.gov.uk
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