Unity Health

Kimberlow Hill Surgery | Wenlock Terrace Surgery

Your Medical Records

Accessing your medical records

You can access your medical records online by registering with the NHS App. Please watch this patient video for more information on how to access your online GP records.

The NHS wants to give people better ways to see their personal health information online. We know that people want to be able to access their health records. It can help you see test results faster. It also lets you read and review notes from your appointments in your own time.

We’re now letting you see all the information within your health record. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as through the NHS AppNHS website, or other GP online services and apps, you will now automatically be able to see all future information entered on your medical record. Some people can already access this feature, this won’t  change for you.

This means that you will be able to see records from your appointments, as well as test results and any letters that are saved on your records. This only applies to records from your doctor (GP), not from hospitals or other specialists, although you will be able to see any letters that hospitals or specialists send to your doctor (GP). You will only be able to see information from [insert date that your practice will make the change]. For most people, access will be automatic, and you won’t need to do anything.

Your doctor (GP) may talk to you to discuss test results before you are able to see some of your information on the app. Your doctor (GP) may also talk to you before you are given full record access to make sure that having access is of benefit to you. If you are concerned that seeing your records is not right for you, you should speak to your practice.

These changes only apply to people with online accounts. If you do not want an online account, you can still access your GP health record by requesting this information via reception [or include online option]. The changes also only apply to personal information about you. If you are a carer and would like to see information about someone you care for, speak to reception staff.

The NHS App, website and other online services are all very secure.  You’ll  need to make sure you protect your login details. Do not  share your password with anyone as they will then have access to your personal information.

If you do not want to see your health record, or if you would like more information about these changes, please speak to your GP or reception staff. You can also read more by going to www.nhs.uk/gp-record.

Other ways to access your records

You can also request copy of your full medical records by writing to us at [email protected] FAO Patient Records Team.

There are some limited and very specific reasons when access to medical records can be refused, these will be discussed in detail with anyone to whom it applies.

How the information in your medical records is used in the local health community

Your doctor and other health professionals caring for you, keep records about your health and any treatment you receive at this practice. These records are kept securely on our Practice computer system.

Where necessary, to provide you with the health care you need, your doctor will share information about you with others involved in your treatment, such as hospital consultants. This sharing is made easier and quicker nowadays by developments in information technology. Arrangements are already in place for secure electronic transfer of test results, referrals and discharge correspondence between local hospitals and GP practices.

Within the Selby and York Health Community, doctors can use computers to access additional information about their patients’ health. For example, if necessary in the course of your treatment, your GP can see a summary of your hospital, mental health and community health record, and doctors providing care for you at the hospital and in the Out of Hours service may also be able to view a summary of your GP record.

Access is subject to strict security controls and is only available to the doctors treating you, under a professional duty of confidence, in the interests of providing you with the best possible care. However, if you have any concerns about your doctor viewing your summary hospital record, please let us know.

The Data Protection Act and your records

All personal information kept by the practice is covered by the Data Protection Act for more information on how this affects your medical records, please see our Data Protection page.

Gender variant Patients: changing your medical records

NHS GP Guidance on the care of gender variant people (2008), issued by the Department of Health states that you may make changes to your medical record, which reflect your chosen identity.

In view of this guidance, Unity Health are eager to ensure that the patients of the practice who fall within this category are cared for in the manner in which the guidance intends.

Should you wish to make any changes to your electronic medical record, please contact the Practice by emailing us at [email protected].

Further details on the guidance can be found in the document below.

DOH Transgender Experiences Information & Support Leaflet

Coronavirus (Covid-19)