‘Can private doctors access my NHS records?’ is a question you may find yourself asking if you are considering an appointment with a private GP.
And what a valid question it is!
If you have a variety of ailments or have had numerous previous treatments for your health issues, you may not want to go through the vulnerable, laborious, and distressing task of explaining things to another doctor.
On the flip side, medical records are some of the most private documents - full of sensitive information that you may not want shared with anyone.
Therefore, it’s important to know who has access to these documents and how they are shared.
This article is here to put your mind at ease and give you the answers you’re looking for about private doctors accessing your NHS records.
Let’s start at the beginning, what are medical records?
A medical record is the document detailing information about your health - both physical and mental.
From when you were born, every single thing is logged in this record, such as:
- Past appointment notes
- Prescriptions
- Vaccines
- Allergies
- Treatments
- Letters from hospitals or specialist consultants
- Diagnoses
- Medical conditions
By having all of this information stored in one place, GPs and doctors can get a complete picture of your health and wellbeing.
That way, if you are on any particular medication or have had certain health issues in the past, your healthcare provider is aware of what has already been tried or what not to prescribe you - for example, in case your current medication interferes with it.
Therefore, it can’t be underestimated just how important medical records are to finding answers to your health conditions and getting you to feel like your best self.
Can private doctors access my NHS records?
Given the extreme sensitivity of NHS medical records, they are not automatically shared with anyone.
However, according to the NHS, you can ask for your medical record to be shared.
It states you must do this with the organisation that holds your information - for example, contacting your GP surgery or the hospital where you had treatment.
How long it will take for your records to be shared is dependent on each situation.
Although, it’s important to note a request for your medical records to be shared can actually be denied! The most common reason being that it could cause harm or distress to the patient.
Can I access my own NHS record instead?
It’s no secret that waiting times to see a GP have skyrocketed - with most people waiting more than two weeks to see a doctor.
However, with the way private healthcare works, you will not have to wait that long to be seen.
At Pall Mall, we offer a wide range of appointments:
- Telephone, video call, or in-person
- Monday-Saturday appointments
- From early in the morning to late in the evening
- Next-day and even same-day appointments
That way, you can find a time that suits you and your lifestyle.
However, if you don’t want to have to explain your situation to yet another doctor, you may want access to your health records to share with them and save you a hard conversation.
Fortunately, the NHS is now granting millions of people the ability to access their own GP record.
More than 80% of GP practices in England will be able to give patients online access to their medical record via the NHS app.
Thanks to this, it’s never been easier to share the information with one of our private GPs if you so wish.
What will Pall Mall do with my medical records?
Now you know what the NHS does with your health records, but what about us?
Here at Pall Mall, our patients are at the very core of what we do.
When you compare private GP appointments with those on the NHS, you can rest assured that with us, your wellbeing is our number one priority.
We ensure each and every one of our appointments is secure and confidential, so you feel comfortable sharing your ailments with our expert GPs.
We do this for both our virtual appointments as well as those face-to-face, because no matter how you speak with your GP, you deserve top quality care.
If you want to book an appointment with us but don’t have access to your medical records, no problem!
Not only do we not need your NHS records, but we also don’t have to let your usual GP know you’ve been to see us and what we have discussed, prescribed, or scheduled.
However, we can disclose this information if you would prefer.
This way, you are in control of your health information and how it is shared.
If you don’t want to share your records with us, why not book one of our standard 30-minute appointments?
Or, if you feel like you may need longer, we can arrange hour-long appointments so that you can give a detailed explanation of your current health situation and medical history.
We want to ensure you have plenty of time to discuss your health issues so our GPs can get you on the road to recovery as soon as possible.
Now you know private doctors can access your NHS records - with your permission - book your appointment today!
We hope this article has answered your question and given you a better understanding of the fact that private GPs can access your medical records, as well as how the information is shared.
Your health and wellbeing is our top priority, which is why we do not need access to your health records for you to be seen by one of our GPs.
We have appointments available six days a week - from early in the morning to late at night! Plus, we have telephone, video, and in-person appointment options at our clinics across the North West, so you find the right appointment for your needs.
To get one of our private GP appointments, simply get in touch with our friendly team who will be able to get everything sorted for you.
It’s time to make your health a priority. Book a private GP appointment today to start feeling like your best self.
Please get in touch with our team:
- Phone us on 03300 27 26 51.
- Fill out our online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.
- Visit us at one of our North West clinics.
