Access to Medical Records

Depending on which health records you want to see, submit your request in writing or by email to a registered health professional at your GP surgery

This is known as a Subject Access Request (SAR).

It’s a good idea to state the dates of the records when you apply.

The health records manager, GP or other healthcare professional will decide whether your request can be approved. They can sometimes refuse to disclose information if, for example the information you have asked for contains information that relates to another person.

Under the Data Protection Act, requests for access to records should be met within 40 days. However, government guidance for healthcare organisations says they should aim to respond within 21 days.