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Patient confidentiality and Access to Health Records
Patient information is generally held under legal and ethical obligations of confidentiality. Information provided in confidence should not be used or disclosed in a form that might identify a patient without his or her consent. There are a number of exceptions to this rule but it applies in most circumstances.
Patients have a right of access to health information about themselves. This is governed by the Data Protection Act 1998.
Additional links
The NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice
Guidelines on the use and protection of patient information, November 2003.
NHS Care Record Guarantee
The NHS will use records about you in ways that respect your rights and promote your health and wellbeing.
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