How do I get a copy of my medical records?
Medical records hold information about you, and your healthcare. You have a right to see them, all of them. It is your body.
You will have separate records for any NHS service you go to – including your GP surgery, hospital, dentist or optician.
How to get your record depends on where it is recorded. There is not a present a single medical record for you across all of the NHS. Sorry.
How to get your GP record
Your GP record includes information like any conditions or allergies you have and any medicine you’re taking.
Most patients will automatically be given access to more information added to their GP record from November 2022 onwards. This includes letters, test results and appointment notes. Some people may also have access to information added to their GP record before this date.
You can access your GP record or nominate someone you trust to access it too.
There are 2 main ways to get your GP record.
Using your NHS app account
You can get your GP record by logging into your account using the NHS app.
First, you need to register for online services and prove who you are. You can do this when you create an account.
You will need to ask your GP surgery for online access to your full record, or you’ll only see your medicines and allergies.
Some services and apps are only available in certain areas. Ask your GP surgery which one you can use.
By speaking to your GP surgery
You can ask for your GP record at your GP surgery.
How to get other (e.g. hospital, optician, dentist) medical records
For any other medical records, you need to ask for them at the NHS service you went to. This includes medical records at your hospital, dentist or optician.
If you are having problems accessing your hospital records, ask the hospital’s PALS department for help. They are usually based at the front of the hospital.
You may have information on more than one hospital computer system – if, like many people, you have accessed different local hospitals for different services, in the past.
