Subject Access Request (SAR) form

Please read the below information before completing the form linked at the bottom of the page.

You will appreciate that health data relating to any individual is highly confidential and the Practice must ensure that it releases such data only to the person to whom it relates, or to a person authorised to act on his or her behalf. If you require to see any health data, please complete this online Request Form (printable copy found in the link above) as fully and accurately as possible to enable us to locate the exact information you require.

The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) gives you the statutory right of access to any information, manual (paper) or computerised.  You may wish to authorise someone else to make your application on your behalf and if you have parental responsibilities, you may make an application to see your child’s notes.

You do not have to give a reason for applying for access to your General Practice records. If you do not need access to your entire records, it would be helpful if you would inform us of the periods and area of your health records that you require, along with details which you feel may have relevance (e.g. clinic type, location, dates).

Timescale

The Practice will deal with your request as quickly as possible. The information should be available to you within 28 days of receipt of your accurately completed form and confirmation of consent. Under certain circumstances, this period can be extended to 3 months but we will keep you informed of the progress of your request during this extended period.

Once your records are ready to collect from the surgery we will call/text to let you know. Please bring ID with you on collection. We are unable to post these out to you. We also do not send records via patient email (Other surgery policies may differ), this is for patient protection. Please contact the surgery if you need further information.

Fees

We will not make a charge for the first request for access to your medical records. We may, however, charge for subsequent requests or if we deem that the volume of information requested is excessive. You have the right to simply view your records (i.e. not receive a copy in a permanent form); information on how to arrange this is detailed below.

Type of request

If you request to see the original records, you will be invited to make an appointment at a mutually convenient time to view them.  If you request copies, these will be ready within the allocated timescales specified by the Regulations, and we will telephone you when they are available for you to come to the Practice to collect them.

Proof of identity

Two forms of identity must be provided (one of which must be photographic). This is to ensure information is not released to unauthorised individuals. The table below outlines the proof of identity we can accept.

TYPE OF APPLICATIONIDENTIFICATION REQUIRED
Patient applying for their own 
Can be waived if the applicant is known to the Staff Member accepting the request
One which must be
photographic i.e.
passport. One containing individuals
name and address
Third Party Applying. Consent of Patient will be 
required  BEFORE the request will be 
processed
One containing Third Party name and
address One must be Photographic ID
of Third Party
Applying on behalf of a child 

We will ALWAYS obtain consent for release of 
records from a child age 13+ to <16 if a third party is making request

One which must be Child’s
birth certificate Photographic ID of person with parental rights

 

If you are completing this application on behalf of another person, the Practice will require their authorisation before we can release the data to you. The person whose information is being requested should sign the relevant section within the online form. If the patient is a child (i.e. under 16 years of age) the application may be made by someone with parental responsibilities – in most cases this means a parent or guardian. If the child is capable of understanding the nature of the application, his or her consent should be obtained or, alternatively, the child may submit an application on their own behalf.  Children will, generally, be presumed to understand the nature of the application if aged between 13 and 16 however, all cases will be considered individually.

 

Date published: 19th April, 2024
Date last updated: 23rd April, 2024