Access to health records
Each time you are seen by one of our clinicians, we record what you tell us and what we discuss so that our health care professionals can plan your future care. Clinic visits, operations, tests and investigations are documented in your health record, alongside copies of all correspondence relating to your care. We also hold your personal information such as your name, address, gender, next of kin and ethnic origin.
Confidentiality
Your health record is kept confidential at all times within Connect Health and is only shared with staff when it is necessary for them to carry out their job. All staff are required to work to strict professional and contractual codes of confidentiality and, where possible, we will anonymise information so that individual patients cannot be identified. The only time information will be shared to outside organisations is if they are directly involved in your care, for instance, your GP, social worker, community nurses or hospital.
Requesting access to your health records
If, for any reason, you would like access to your medical records held by Connect Health, please make your request digitally using our new online portal Home Page – SAR Portal (ams-sar.com). Click get started online, then follow the instructions to set-up your account (or login if you have an existing account).
Requests are managed electronically and once complete, you will be able to view your health records using a download function within the portal, reducing time and the need for paper copies to be printed and sent via post.
When making your request, please ensure the correct application type is selected. This will help the Subject Access Request team process your request effectively.
Download the Requester Portal Guide and view the FAQs to help you through the process. By law you will need to supply identification as part of the request process – you can find out what you need to supply by clicking here.
Requesting access to the health records of another person (Organisations)
If you’re a third party and requesting access to the health records of another person, please use our online portal to submit your request.
Access the portal at https://connecthealth.ams-sar.com
When Will the Information Be Released
The Organisation will deal with your request promptly, and in any event the records will be sent to you within 30 days of receipt of your accurately completed form. If we encounter any difficulties in locating your data we will keep you informed of our progress via the online portal.
Amending Information Within Your Record
Individuals do not have a right to have professional opinions or judgements deleted from the record, unless the entry is factually incorrect e.g. the notes on your record relate to a different patient. However, if you disagree with any content within your record, you can ask to have a statement added to reflect your opinions. You are entitled to a copy of what has been added.
Requesting Diagnostic Reports (MRI, X-ray etc.)
If you would like access to a diagnostic report requested by Connect Health please specify this on the online form.
Please note: It is deemed good clinical practice and in turn, Connect Health policy, that results of investigations are discussed with patients so that they understand the results as part of their clinical assessment and ongoing management process.
Due to your Subject Access Request, we may release these results to you early, however we encourage you to discuss them with a clinician when an appointment is available.
If you have queries and want to contact us directly please email recordsrequest@connecthealth.co.uk
Please note we no longer accept Subject Access Requests via email
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