One of the other changes linked to the new guidelines relates to data subject access requests (SARs). An individual can make a SAR to any organisation that they believe is processing their personal data. This request must be in writing or email. We have also created a Subject Access Request form for patients to complete. Under the new guidance, responses will be made within one calendar month. An extension of 2 months can be allowed if necessary taking into account the complexity of the request. A fee can no longer be charged unless the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive, in which case a fee may be charged or the request refused.
If you have any questions around how we collect, manage and share your data, please speak with our practice manager.
Subject Access Request policy
This policy provides the practice with a process for the management of requests for personal information (for living individuals) under the Data Protection Act (DPA), the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and (for deceased individuals) the Access to Health Records Act 1990.
It defines a process for achieving legislative requirements and ensuring effective and consistent management of such requests.
Under the Data Protection Act, subject to certain conditions, an individual is entitled to be:
- Told whether any personal data is being processed.
- Given a description of the personal data, the reasons it is being processed.
and whether it will be given to any other organisations or people. - Given a copy of the information comprising the data.
- Given details of the source of the data (where this is available).
The Data Protection Act extends equally to all relevant records relating to living individuals, including records held in the private health sector and health professionals’ private practice records.
Personal data held by the practice may be:
- Personnel/staff records relating to a member of staff, present, past or prospective, whether permanent, temporary or voluntary.
- Health records consisting of information about the physical or mental health of an identifiable individual made by, or on behalf of, a health professional in connection with the care of that individual.
Access encompasses the following rights:
- To obtain a copy of the record in permanent form.
- To have information provided in an intelligible format (and explained where necessary).
The Data Protection Act also gives subjects who now reside outside the UK the right to apply for access to their former UK health and employment records:
- Employees are legally entitled to request their personal records and may take them outside of the UK at their own discretion.
- Original health records should not be given to people to keep/take outside the UK. The practice may be prepared to provide the patient with a summary of treatment, alternatively the patient may make a request for access in the usual way.
Organisations must have procedures in place to ensure that individual’s rights of access are met within a timely and appropriate fashion.
Individual’s rights regarding the sharing of their personal information are supported by the Care Record Guarantees, which set out high-level commitments for protecting and safeguarding service user information, particularly in regard to individuals’ rights of access to their own information, how information will be shared (both within and outside of the organisation) and how decisions on sharing information will be made.
In the response to the Caldicott2 Report, the Department of Health confirmed that service users should have access to information about themselves even if it was obtained through new or non-traditional approaches (for example, virtual consultations) to delivering health and care services.
Scope
This policy applies to any request by a patient or member of staff for access to their personal information held by the practice.
Who can make an access request?
An application for access to personal data may be made to the practice by any of the following:
- An individual.
- A person authorised by the individual in writing to make the application on an individual’s behalf e.g. solicitor, family member, carer.
- A person having parental responsibility for the individual where he/she is a child.
- A person appointed by a court to manage the affairs of an individual who is deemed incompetent.
- Individuals who hold a health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney.
- Where the individual has died, the personal representative and any person who may have a claim arising out of the individual’s death (e.g. the executor of the deceased’s will, someone who has been appointed as an Administrator of the Estate by the Courts, someone who has the written consent of either of the above to be given access, someone who is in the process of challenging the deceased’s will).
The police may, on occasion, request access to personal data of individuals. Whilst there is an exemption in the Data Protection Act which permits the practice to disclose information to support the prevention and detection of crime, the police have no automatic right to access, however they can obtain a court order.
Parental responsibility for a child is defined in the Children’s Act 1989 as ‘all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority, which by law a parent of a child has in relation to a child and his property’.
Although not defined specifically, responsibilities would include safeguarding and promoting a child’s health, development and welfare, including if relevant their employment records. Included in the parental rights which would fulfil the parental responsibilities above are:
- Having the child live with the person with responsibility, or having a say in where the child lives.
- If the child is not living with her/him, having a personal relationship and regular contact with the child.
- Controlling, guiding and directing the child’s upbringing.
Foster parents are not ordinarily awarded parental responsibility for a child. It is more likely that this responsibility rests with the child’s social worker and appropriate evidence of identity should be sought in the usual way.
The law regards young people aged 16 or 17 to be adults for the purposes of consent to employment or treatment and the right to confidentiality. Therefore, if a 16 year old wishes the employer or a medical practitioner to keep their information confidential then that wish must be respected.
In some certain cases, children under the age of 16 who have the capacity and understanding to take decisions about their own treatment are also entitled to decide whether personal information may be passed on and generally to have their confidence respected.
Where a child is considered capable of making decisions, e.g. about his/her employment or medical treatment, the consent of the child must be sought before a person with parental responsibility may be given access.
Where, in the view of the appropriate professional, the child is not capable of understanding the nature of the application, the holder of the record is entitled to deny access if it is not felt to be in the patient’s best interests The identity and consent of the applicant must always be established.
The applicant does not have to give a reason for applying for access.
The practice is a data controller and can only provide information held by the organisation. Data controllers in their own right must be applied to directly, the practice will not transfer requests from one organisation to another.
Application
Individuals wishing to exercise their right of access should:
- Make a written application to the practice holding the records, including via email
- Provide such further information as the practice may require to sufficiently identify the individual
The practice as ‘data controller’ is responsible for ascertaining the purpose of the request and the manner in which the information is supplied.
Fees and response time
Under GDPR, the practice must provide information free of charge. However, we can charge a ‘reasonable fee’ when a request is manifestly unfounded or excessive, particularly if it is repetitive.
The fee must be based on the administrative cost of providing the information only.
The request will initially be passed to the admin team who will manage SAR.
The request must be complied with without delay and at least within one calendar month of receipt of the request. This period can be extended for a further two months where requests are complex or numerous, however the practice must inform the individual within one month of receipt of the request and explain why the extension is necessary.
The identity of an individual who provided/recorded information should not be disclosed, nor should the identity of any other person/s referred to in the record(s) of the individual requesting access, unless explicit consent has been given.
The release stage
The format of the released information will be agreed with the requester. The release of a health record is subject to consultation with either:
- The health professional who is currently, or was most recently, responsible for the clinical care of the data subject in connection with the information which is the subject of the request.
- Where there is more than one such health professional, the health professional who is the most suitable to advise on the information which is the subject of the request.
Once the records have been collated, redacted where applicable, and signed off by the health professional identified as above, they should be made available to the requester to collect from the practice, or alternatively be sent by ‘Recorded Delivery’ post. On no account must the original record be released.
Where information is not readily intelligible, an explanation (e.g. of abbreviations or terminology) must be given.
If it is agreed that the subject or their representative may directly inspect the record, a member of staff must supervise the access. If supervised by an administrator, this person must not comment or advise on the content of the record and if the applicant raises enquiries, an appointment with a health professional must be offered.
Exemptions
Access may be denied or restricted where:
- The record contains information which relates to or identifies a third party that is not a care professional and has not consented to the disclosure. If possible, the individual should be provided with access to that part of the record which does not contain the third party information.
- Access to all or part of the record will prejudice the carrying out of social work by reason of the fact that serious harm to the physical or mental well-being of the individual or any other person is likely. If possible the individual should be provided with access to that part of the record that does not post the risk of serious harm.
- Access to all or part of the record will seriously harm the physical or mental well-being of the individual or any other person. If possible the individual should be provided with access to that part of the record that does not pose the risk of serious harm.
- If an assessment identifies that to comply with a SAR would involve disproportionate effort under section 8(2)(a) of the Data Protection Act.
There is no requirement to disclose to the applicant the fact that certain information may have been withheld.
Complaints and appeals
The applicant has the right to appeal against the decision of the practice to refuse access to their information. This appeal should be made to the practice manager.
If an applicant is unhappy with the outcome of their access request, they should contact the practice manager who will meet with the applicant to resolve the complaint.
If individuals remain unhappy with the practice response, they have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner’s Office:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Email: casework@ico.gsi.gov.uk
Equality impact
In applying this policy, the organisation will have due regard for the need to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination
- Promote equality of opportunity
- Provide for good relations between people of diverse groups
The following characteristics are protected by the Equality Act (2010):
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sexual orientation
- Offending background
- Trade union membership
- Any other personal characteristic