AQW 4231/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health whether he will prevent GPs from charging patients to access their medical history for social security purposes.
Asked by Nuala McAllister MLA on 6 October 2022
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 6 October 2022
- Answer due by
- 21 October 2022
- Answered
- 10 October 20224 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) individuals have a right of access to their personal information.
This is known as a subject access request (SAR) and includes a patient’s request to access their medical records. SARs must be processed free of charge and within one month.
If a large amount of information is held by the GP practice, the patient can be asked to clarify the information that would be acceptable to satisfy the SAR.
Whilst the GP practice must bear the costs of providing initial copies of medical records, further copies can be charged for.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the regulator for data protection
A patient has the right to complain directly to the ICO if they are dissatisfied with the processing of their request – further information is available here: Make a complaint | ICO.
The ICO can be contacted by phone, email or by post. Contact information is attached here: Northern Ireland office | ICO
Guidance and further information is available on the ICO website via this weblink: Right of access | ICO