Application for Access to Medical Records - SAR
If you would like a copy of your medical record you can request an application for access to medical records.
In accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation, patients (data subjects) have the right to access their data and any supplementary information held by St Laurences Medical Centre. This is commonly known as a subject access request (SAR). Data subjects have a right to receive:
- Confirmation that their data is being processed
- Access to their personal data
- Access to any other supplementary information held about them
- Options for access
As of April 2016, organisations have been obliged to allow patients access to their coded health record online. As of April 2020, this service now enables the patient to view their prospective full medical record. Prior to accessing this information, you will have to visit the organisation and undertake an identity check before being granted access to your records.
In addition, you can make a request to be provided with copies of your health record. To do so, you must submit a SAR form. This can be submitted via a paper copy of the SAR is available from reception. You will need to return the completed paper copy of the SAR to the practice. Patients do not have to pay a fee for copies of their records.
- Time frame
Once the SAR form is submitted, St Laurence’s Medical Centre will aim to process the request within 28 days; however, this may not always be possible. The maximum time permitted to process SARs is one calendar month.
- Exemptions
There may be occasions when the data controller will withhold information kept in the health record, particularly if the disclosure of such information is likely to cause undue stress or harm to you or any other person.