IN the UK Can a person change their medical records?

Question

A friend has read his medical records and was shocked to find there was something on there that he dosnt want on there that was suggested he might have - He was never diagnosed with it. However it dosnt make good reading on his medical records How can he change this?

Answer 1

No. But he can set out in a letter his concerns and send this to the manager of the medical records department and ask him/her to insert the letter into his medical file. Do not write to the doctor, this is not the correct procedure.

Answer 2

Sorry you cannot alter a medical record. All he can do is request that his doctor insert a comment, written by the patient, on a separate paper into the notes with any criticism he wishes to make of the entry. I once had a lady who asked to see her records after a problem with an insurance medical report, involving an incident about 10 years earlier. She denied that the event had occurred despite much concrete evidence that it had. Though it may not be relevant here, frankly this lady had forgotten the event, and refused point blank to accept that this was the case in spite of overwhelming evidence that this was what has happened.

Of course if he is simply wishing that a correct entry was removed from his notes, this cannot be done.

Answer 3

He needs to talk to the doctor who put this "shocking" diagnosis in his chart. Can your friend change it? No. Not at all. Changing, tampering with medical records is a felony charge. The doctor would have to look at the tests and determine if a mistake was made. If so, then they doctor can change it officially. If no mistake was made, then your friend will have this diagnosis on his record.....permanently.

Answer 4

take it up with the medical council straight away and take no nonsenses, do not be fobbed off, maybe it was an error on their behalf.

Answer 5

May be he should speak to his doctor about it.