Medical records request query

A question about : Medical records request query

I'm currently having ongoing care at a hospital for a medical issue, and I want to see my medical records.

I know if I make a subject access request for copies, the hospital can charge me up to Ј50. If I have to pay I will - but I'd rather not (especially as money is tight at the moment).

I've been told that if my records have been updated within the past 40 days I don't need to pay anything to view them. Would that cover all my notes or just the most recent updates?

I'm assuming that if I want hard copies I'd have to pay up.

Separately, I'm also considering making a formal complaint about one of the doctors (I'm now seen by someone else) who was absolutely awful, very rude and unprofessional - and they lied on my notes!

I'm very nervous about making a formal complaint whilst still undergoing care and treatment by this person's colleagues. Just wondered whether anyone here has had experience of this - it would be good to hear people's stories (hopefully some good!).

Best answers:

• Depends how much you need copied. If it's just a few pages then it'll be about Ј10 (which is like a minimum charge) - they'd probably only charge Ј50 if you wanted the whole file(s). You can always ask for a quote.
  Just to add... if you do make a formal complaint, you could request a meeting and for someone to go through your records with you during it.
• Thanks for the suggestion about the anonymous feedback, j.e.j.
  I'm not sure it's the best option in my circumstances but it's worth bearing in mind for other occasions (hopefully won't ever need to give bad feedback again!).
  I'm reluctant to give too much personal information (sorry) but I'll try to expand a bit....
  I wanted to let things go - a formal complaint is daunting - but I think it might be the only (or best way) of moving forward in terms of getting appropriate treatment.
  This doctor wrote inaccurate notes - and this has made things very difficult in terms of obtaining the correct treatment (and led to several misdiagnoses).
  He also failed to perform some basic tests that would have saved a lot of time, pain, and misery. I'm still having trouble getting past the notes he wrote - I have to point out various issues every time I see one of my current doctors at the hospital.
• The records department will have to have your notes in front of them before they'd be able to tell you how much it's likely to be. If you're just talking about a specific few pages of this doctor's notes, then it shouldn't cost much.
  If you met with someone to go through them then they should be medically trained so can explain the content. Phone PALS or the Complaints Team and explain why you're concerned, see what they advise. Doesn't have to be a formal complaint unless you want it to be.
• I asked first how much it would cost for all of my files and it was Ј25. Which I thought was ok.
• Thanks for the replies and suggestions.
  Ј25 would certainly be better than Ј50! It's good to hear that not everyone gets charged the full Ј50 - although I suppose it's down to luck and how generous/nice each hospital/GP is feeling!
  I was thinking of contacting PALs. I've already spoken to them about the issue but wasn't prepared to take things further at the time. I was so nervous about making it official whilst my care and treatment was still ongoing.
  I'm still not totally sure what's best so I think an initial chat with PALs would be the best thing to do to start with.
  DigForVictory, I thought it was Ј10 at first too. It is if you only want to view the records but if you want copies they can charge up to Ј50. If you're interested (or for anyone else who wants to know) I found the fees on the NHS site below.
  https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2635.asp...CategoryID=160