Access to Blood Test Results

Rachox · May 29, 2017

Something has been playing on my mind since my diagnosis earlier this month. During my first face to face appt. with my GP after having had 2 phone conversations with him, he said almost as a throw away comment, "I see you tested as border line in 2013". I was so 'shell shocked' during this appt. that I didn't question anything really, but I've since been wondering what tests in the intervening years showed. I think someone said, @Bluetit1802 maybe, that I'd be quite within my rights to ask for access to my blood test results. I looked on Patient Access the online system my practice uses and found that there is a Medical Records section but I need to contact the practice for access. I'm taking my daughter in for a vaccination tomorrow and plan to ask for access to my results. Do you think I'll encounter any problems or should it be a simple procedure?

Speedbird · May 29, 2017

Hi, it's quite simple. You may have to fill out some form. Although I have been at my practice for 40 years! They still asked for proof of identification and a utility bill. Good luck. It's quite straight forward. Oh and the doc has to sign it off so it may take a couple of days to come through x

Bluetit1802 · May 29, 2017

Rachox said:
View attachment 23016
Something has been playing on my mind since my diagnosis earlier this month. During my first face to face appt. with my GP after having had 2 phone conversations with him, he said almost as a throw away comment, "I see you tested as border line in 2013". I was so 'shell shocked' during this appt. that I didn't question anything really, but I've since been wondering what tests in the intervening years showed. I think someone said, @Bluetit1802 maybe, that I'd be quite within my rights to ask for access to my blood test results. I looked on Patient Access the online system my practice uses and found that there is a Medical Records section but I need to contact the practice for access. I'm taking my daughter in for a vaccination tomorrow and plan to ask for access to my results. Do you think I'll encounter any problems or should it be a simple procedure?

It probably was me. It is fairly simple. You provide ID and complete a consent form which is passed to your GP for authorisation and if you already have access to Patient Access that is all you do. Your records should be on-line in a day or two. If you don't already have access to Patient Access (for appointments, prescriptions etc) the surgery will give you a code. Once entered it is done and dusted.

Rachox · May 29, 2017

Speedbird said:
Hi, it's quite simple. You may have to fill out some form. Although I have been at my practice for 40 years! They still asked for proof of identification and a utility bill. Good luck. It's quite straight forward. Oh and the doc has to sign it off so it may take a couple of days to come through x

Thank you for your quick reply. I'll print off a utility bill, as I've only been at my practice for 37 years!

Bluetit1802 · May 29, 2017

Rachox said:
Thank you for your quick reply. I'll print off a utility bill, as I've only been at my practice for 37 years!

I seem to think I also had to produce photographic evidence.

Rachox · May 29, 2017

Bluetit1802 said:
It probably was me. It is fairly simple. You provide ID and complete a consent form which is passed to your GP for authorisation and if you already have access to Patient Access that is all you do. Your records should be on-line in a day or two. If you don't already have access to Patient Access (for appointments, prescriptions etc) the surgery will give you a code. Once entered it is done and dusted.

Thank you. I'll go armed with ID and yes I already can order repeat prescriptions and make appts. via Patient Access.

Rachox · May 29, 2017

Bluetit1802 said:
I seem to think I also had to produce photographic evidence.

I'll have my driving licence with me. Thanks!

Bluetit1802 · May 29, 2017

How far back the records go depend on how far back your surgery was fully computerised and also how far back they decided to go. Mine go back to 2006, although my immunisations as a child are there (1948!!!!!) plus details of a broken leg in 1952.

Mr_Pot · May 29, 2017

Rachox said:
View attachment 23016
Something has been playing on my mind since my diagnosis earlier this month. During my first face to face appt. with my GP after having had 2 phone conversations with him, he said almost as a throw away comment, "I see you tested as border line in 2013". I was so 'shell shocked' during this appt. that I didn't question anything really, but I've since been wondering what tests in the intervening years showed. I think someone said, @Bluetit1802 maybe, that I'd be quite within my rights to ask for access to my blood test results. I looked on Patient Access the online system my practice uses and found that there is a Medical Records section but I need to contact the practice for access. I'm taking my daughter in for a vaccination tomorrow and plan to ask for access to my results. Do you think I'll encounter any problems or should it be a simple procedure?

I guess they are worried that someone might read something about their condition and then complain that they didn't want to know. So to safeguard themselves they get you to sign to say you are happy to read your medical records.

Rachox · May 29, 2017

Bluetit1802 said:
How far back the records go depend on how far back your surgery was fully computerised and also how far back they decided to go. Mine go back to 2006, although my immunisations as a child are there (1948!!!!!) plus details of a broken leg in 1952.

How funny!
I can still ask for a print out for missing ones maybe?

Rachox · May 29, 2017

Mr_Pot said:
I guess they are worried that someone might read something about their condition and then complain that they didn't want to know. So to safeguard themselves they get you to sign to say you are happy to read your medical records.

Yes I understand. If my results were bad in the intervening years, I just want to know so I can understand the likely hood of damage already done

dbr10 · May 29, 2017

Rachox said:
View attachment 23016
Something has been playing on my mind since my diagnosis earlier this month. During my first face to face appt. with my GP after having had 2 phone conversations with him, he said almost as a throw away comment, "I see you tested as border line in 2013". I was so 'shell shocked' during this appt. that I didn't question anything really, but I've since been wondering what tests in the intervening years showed. I think someone said, @Bluetit1802 maybe, that I'd be quite within my rights to ask for access to my blood test results. I looked on Patient Access the online system my practice uses and found that there is a Medical Records section but I need to contact the practice for access. I'm taking my daughter in for a vaccination tomorrow and plan to ask for access to my results. Do you think I'll encounter any problems or should it be a simple procedure?

That's something they should have told you. Like nurse telling me my BP was a bit high when I joined the practice - 4 years earlier!

Rachox · May 29, 2017

dbr10 said:
That's something they should have told you. Like nurse telling me my BP was a bit high when I joined the practice - 4 years earlier!

Oh dear! My diabetes was noticed on the blood test I had for my annual BP review. 2 silent but deadly conditions

AM1874 · May 29, 2017

Just as an aside .. what you can't do on-line is view any "free text" comments that your doc or HCP puts on your records. This bothers me a little because when I was asking the receptionist some questions about a follow-up appointment, she looked on my records (her version) and said "Oh, yes .. Dr ********** said she had a long in-depth conversation with you when you were diagnosed". Well, if she did, I certainly don't remember and there is no record of this conversation on the records that I can see. What bothers me more is that this was the doctor with whom I have had two appointments since my diagnosis and on both occasions, when I wanted to ask questions, I was told after about 7 minutes, "Sorry, I don't have time for that .. I have responsibilities to my other patients waiting outside"

Rachox · May 29, 2017

AM1874 said:
Just as an aside .. what you can't do on-line is view any "free text" comments that your doc or HCP puts on your records. This bothers me a little because when I was asking the receptionist some questions about a follow-up appointment, she looked on my records (her version) and said "Oh, yes .. Dr ********** said she had a long in-depth conversation with you when you were diagnosed". Well, if she did, I certainly don't remember and there is no record of this conversation on the records that I can see. What bothers me more is that this was the doctor with whom I have had two appointments since my diagnosis and on both occasions, when I wanted to ask questions, I was told after about 7 minutes, "Sorry, I don't have time for that .. I have responsibilities to my other patients waiting outside"

Yes I have realised by Googling and reading about this on the NHS England site, that the free text is not made available. I just want my blood test results so I'm not bothered. My Dr is really good at not hurrying patients, hence he's always running late! But it's better everyone get to ask questions without being hurried.

Bluetit1802 · May 29, 2017

AM1874 said:
Just as an aside .. what you can't do on-line is view any "free text" comments that your doc or HCP puts on your records. This bothers me a little because when I was asking the receptionist some questions about a follow-up appointment, she looked on my records (her version) and said "Oh, yes .. Dr ********** said she had a long in-depth conversation with you when you were diagnosed". Well, if she did, I certainly don't remember and there is no record of this conversation on the records that I can see. What bothers me more is that this was the doctor with whom I have had two appointments since my diagnosis and on both occasions, when I wanted to ask questions, I was told after about 7 minutes, "Sorry, I don't have time for that .. I have responsibilities to my other patients waiting outside"

I can see my GP notes - or at least the ones that are coded for my access. It is under "consultations" and briefly lists the topics discussed. Any actual diagnosis is on a different page. (Problems, I think from memory). It also contains notes from my nurse following my annual reviews such as results of foot examination, what diet I follow and so on. (There is no tick box on her computer screen for low carb high fat so she entered high fibre - this probably being the nearest! It also contains some tests/treatment done at the hospital where the hospital has informed the GP.

Obviously some notes may not be coded for my access but I will never know that.

librarising · May 29, 2017

Bluetit1802 said:
plus details of a broken leg in 1952.

I only recently registered for online access (following comments on this forum - thanks guys !)
It took a week for my medical records to appear, and I first accessed them on the day the NHS computers went down.
My records record a childhood herniotomy I'd completely forgotten about. That was 1956. You win @Bluetit1802 !
Tempus fugit
Geoff

Spencer67 · May 29, 2017

I've always found it hard to get that information from my GP and i've requested it a few times, it's as if they hold the info but are unwilling to give easy access to the full test results, i think it should be far easier for diabetics to get hold of their test results and monitor our condition without so much fuss. More transparency is needed. After all, it is about us not them.

Rachox · May 29, 2017

librarising said:
I only recently registered for online access (following comments on this forum - thanks guys !)
It took a week for my medical records to appear, and I first accessed them on the day the NHS computers went down.
My records record a childhood herniotomy I'd completely forgotten about. That was 1956. You win @Bluetit1802 !
Tempus fugit
Geoff

I won't be able to beat either of you! Let's see if my broken collar bone when I was 4 in 1965 appears!

Rachox · May 29, 2017

Spencer67 said:
I've always found it hard to get that information from my GP and i've requested it a few times, it's as if they hold the info but are unwilling to give easy access to the full test results, i think it should be far easier for diabetics to get hold of their test results and monitor our condition without so much fuss. More transparency is needed. After all, it is about us not them.

I'll let you know how I get on!

Access to Blood Test Results

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Privacy & Transparency

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