Spouse obtaining partner's medical information ?

[derekpara]

If someone's spouse, for whatever reason, asked a doctors' surgery for their partner's medical records, ie, list of scripts, reason for consultations etc. would the surgery staff provide that information without question or would Data Protection prevent it ?

[albaqwerty]

Data Protection and a load of other reasons would prevent it.
I can phone the surgery and ask for a repeat for my husband's prescriptions but that's it.

[ummmm]

You'd hope not...

My Doctor wouldn't even discuss a medical issue in front on my partner as she didn't know what was private and what wasn't. She asked him to wait in the waiting room.

[woofgang]

My late DH made it clear to his GP and consultants and the hospital and community teams that they were permitted to discuss anything with me, and me with them, so they did. This was because he would have phases where he didn't feel up to prolonged or complex discussion. He had to tell them in front of me that they had that permission and then they could. Prior to that Nada and quite right too. My late Mum had the same arrangement between her GP and the hospital staff and community staff and my sister. The practice receptionists at both surgeries (who were all lovely) were not allowed to be part of the agreement because they could not have that responsibility but used to tie themselves in knots to be helpful.

[tamborine]

If the person poses as the spouse, with all the relevant info, then yes.

My OHs secretary posed as me to get my medical records. I discovered it by her phone number being on my records.

[woofgang]

tambo that's illegal., she could go to jail (briefly) if that could be proved

[tamborine]

I told my GP, he did nothing so I changed docs.

[woofgang]

Should have got on to the PCT, PALS department, they are one of ghe few people who can sort GP's

[ronnietoon]

i recently asked a relative to go to the doctors for me to ask about a blood test i had had done was back,the receptionist said she couldn't tell them.

i then rang there 0844 number after waiting 20 mins on the phone to get through was told the results just by confirming my DOB.

funny the data protection act eh?

[brenda]

I have never had a problem at my local GP's getting a printed list of my partners scripts. They are aware that he has Alzheimers and just print me off a copy.

[derekpara]

Thank you all for that interesting and varied list of answers.

D

[dave80]

QUOTE: "I then rang their 0844 number. After waiting 20 mins on the phone to get through, was told the results just by confirming my DOB."


Doctors were banned from using 0844 numbers in April 2010 and given one year to comply. It's written into their GMS contract. They must use a number that costs no more than calling an 01 or 02 number whether called from mobile or landline, and inclusive minutes also count.

Your GP should have moved to the 0344 number matching their existing 0844 number, or to a new 030 number or to a geographic 01 or 02 number and should have done so before April 2011.