GP's contracts now include giving their NHS patients access to their basic records (medications and allergies only) by the end of this year, whilst this is a start do you think it is particularly useful when compared to your past medical history and test results?
I think we should be able to see our basic records but I dont know if it's any help or not.
You have a right to see your all your medical records unless it is deemed they may be harmful to you and they may redact parts if this is the case. However like hospital records you are likely to have to pay a charge related to copying them. This has been in force for about 20 years. Insurance companies etc often request your GP records after requesting your permission and you are normally given a chance to see them before they are sent off, many of these historic records are not computerised.
the move to let patients routinely see their computerised records in future is useful as you can try and get mistakes corrected.
Letters sent by hospitals to GPs often omit facts, get facts very wrong often caused by the change over of junior doctors the author may never have seen you, their may be mistakes inthe interpretation of dictation etc
However prior to the legal right of patients to see their records, the language used by clinicians was sometimes disrespectful, they never intended the person to see it.
At a pre surgery assessment the anathesitist said that the standard of note taking at this hospital is disgraceful.
I always ask for copies of consultants letters and without fail they have errors and misunderstandings in them.
In fact for my last referral to a consultant my GP had put down the wrong reason for my referral. I did not realise that until I got the consultants letter. I actually had to phone his PA to get it and tell them that my GP had not had his copy either.
So that's why some of my GPs have taken to printing off my latest Consultant's letter and giving it to me!
I don't actually think the GPs read the letters until, and if, I roll up
One so called Registrar made so many errors in her letter that my GP wrote to her pointing them out.
I would like to go for full access where you mentaly chart your bodies deteroration with such illnesses such as COPD it gives the patient more insight into what is going on and what the doctor has recomended and prescribed over a period of time. I would expect to be charged for such access and would happily give after all some one's time was taken up by preparing such records.
Hi Bull ~
I honestly think it's a great idea. You'd be amazed how mistakes are caught by viewing your records. I asked for my daughters records after the doctor she saw since birth.
She had pnuemonia and with the xray you could clearly see she had scoliosis and it had been in her records for 5 years and...get this...the doctor had to get an xray and examin it and claim he saw no scoliosis or any other reason that might hinder her with the field she's chosen as far as physical her case, golf.
He never read the xray report and in the report it said for the parents to take this paitent to a specialist to view her and take care of it before it worsens....So, if I hadn't asked for her records, I'd never know she had that. So yes, it's important in many ways to keep records of yourself and everyone in your family (kids).
good luck
Frustrated
Frustrated,
You have illustrated a potential patient benefit but this also reflects why many GPs are reluctant to switch it on. They think it will increase their workload answering queries although there is some limited evidence to refute this and even shows that access to records reduces workload and improves compliance by patients.
I am unaware of any proven treatments for mild scoliosis but I can see you would have like to have discussed that with your GP at the time.
Hope your daughter is enjoying her golf.
bw
Bull
Interesting I had not considered that GPs might charge for access. GPs will have to provide access to your basic records (only medication and allergies) by April 2015 as part of their contracts with the NHS but I guess they could charge for additional information as they do for paper records.
Payment for records relates to old records most of which are traditional paper ones. The new computerised ones for care summaries I do not think can be charged for. It should be a simple print out, as opposed to someone physically having to copy them.
Hello ~
Regarding the increasing doctor's workload by answering queries, mistakes do happen and it's always good to have more than one pair of eyes double checking. Checks and balances. If the doctors take offense to this perhaps that isn't a doctor I would select.
I want an open relationship with the doctor. This open relationship means, I'm paying the doctor, therefore, asking for "permission" to review my records shouldn't even be a problem. At least in a perfect world, right?
Take care & be well
Frustrated
Hi Susan ~
The one reason I mentioned asking for records is it will cut down on one having to stand by the copier and copy...in my case 5 full folders of info. However, if you go back to find out what a test result was...ask at that time for a copy of what the doctor is reading from. I also agree that many/or all will be computerized thus making the paper chase a bad memory....but on a positive, many trees will be saved.
Anyway, I was involved in a lawsuit from an auto accident I was in, my laywers did ask for all my records...after the lawsuit, my lawyer asked if I wanted those records or they'd have to pay someone to stand over a shredder, thus costing more money. I told them to give the records to me...I never, ever expected to have almost 10 boxes full of records as they asked for records ...seemed since birth lol it wasn't but jeeeez.
One day perhaps it will become secondary to all doctors to include a CD with every result given. Who knows?
I do see a snare in accessing your records online...too tempting for hackers. I didn't think of that when first posting about thinking it is a good thing to be able to access records. Even safeguards against hacking isn't fool-proof.
Warm regards
Frustrated
Unfortunately confidentiality tends to go with wider access to computerised medical records and for all health and social care staff looking after you to potentially have access including community pharmacists. Summary care records can avoid duplicalation and be life saving over allergies etc, but do people want all and sundry to see GP records which could contain very personal information that in the past few had access to? It may make you think twice before giving information and potentially affect care. Most blood results are fine,but not every one will want HiV result sharing.
having access to your records has benefits but also hazards
in the past I have had records requested by a third party, i signed a form that gave them permission for a summary, but the request to the GP was for every record since birth even though irrelevent to the case. I have also requested a copyof records from one hospital , who sent me copies they had of another hospitals records for me, but not their own record of my treatment there!
Hi Susan ~
Don't take this the wrong way but where are you going with this? Excuse my ignorance...I'm truly confused.
Frustrated
Hi Frustrated
often in life there are no simple answers. Yes access to the new computerised medical records has benefits for patients,especially if they are taught to self manage . However not all patients have computers or tablets or smart phones or the relevent skills so paper print outs may be necessary,and in some cases clinicians time to explain medical terminology and like everything in life there are usually risks to go with the benefits. If you can easily access your records,as you seem to have pointed out there is a good chance that so will others who you may not wish to have access, whether hacked or "official"
I am a patient at two NHS hospitals. My complaint is usually that the adjoining area health authority does not have access to my records.
As for confidentiality in many cases the letters consultants dictate are sent electronically to India to be typed. The files are then sent back to be printed.
Many that I get in Sussex have been posted in Bristol.
Ahh, gotcha! My mind wasn't thinking at the time I read your post. It does make sense. There are pros and cons...I'm thinking now, I might be on the fence. Not too sure it should be easily available as it is so easy for some people to access w/o consent and there is other info in the records besides the "results...etc". Such as, social security number ...correct spelling of name and possibly maiden names...all that can be useful for one to steal idenity. It is for this reason, I'm rethinking the access.
Thank you, Susan for responding.
Frustrated
By the way, Bull, my daughter is so very skilled in golf she puts many accomplished men to shame! I think it's great! 
She just has that natural ability to hit the ball and it goes where she wants it to go and her swing...it's a true beautiful swing. One that I aspired to...not so much anymore.
Anyway, my daughter was struggling as to what she is good in...was it art, dance, acting, music, writing etc...she struggled and her father and I were able to allow her to try all to see what she would like to keep up and one hot sunny afternoon, my colleague and I were planning on golf and I pretty much "made" my daughter come with us. It was then, and her first time, that I saw so much potential that she took lessons and made it to the varsity team in her freshman year of High School (pretty much unheard of for a freshman). She was in the top 4 of her school team. She went on to play for the following three years and each year, because of her dedication and the other three's dedication they made state finals and came in...4th, 2nd and 3rd for her senior year. Bragging rights for parents, sorry 
Wow....did you ever think your kind comment would lead to this! LOL anyway, thank you.
Frustrated
Hi again ~
I was thinking that if one sees their GP after a test, the results should be in front of you and them. Meaning, both should have a hard copy to read together. It's a sad thing that a doctor would get frustrated if anyone questions them or asks for clarification...isn't it?
Hope all is well,
Frustrated