doctors records.

[konfusha]

can a prospective employer access your medical records without your consent?or do they have to inform you that they may and do you have any objections yes or no?

[Dollie]

I'm almost certain that they cannot do this without asking your permission first. I am thinking in terms of things that go on in my workplace - e.g. staff who have been off on long-term sick will receive a letter telling asking them if they (the employer) can ask your doc for written evidence of your condition and ability to return to work. You have to agree. If you don't I guess they could ask you to leave. As for past illnesses, I believe that your hospital notes are confidential and as such cannot be accessed by outsiders. I'm sure a phone call to your local NHS Trust Advisory service will give you some accurate answers. I may be way of mark but I don't think so.

[acorn]

I would imagine they could only access with written permission from you. But you would make them curious if you refused to allow it. I know my other halfs firm request a medical on him and they contacted his doctor who wrote to him asking for him to come in and give his consent for the records and the medical report to be sent to his bosses.

[xrayspecs]

No. The only time your records would be made available without your consent is after a warrant had been issued by a court for their release. This is not currently a course of action available to an employer.

[alijangra]

They cannot access your medical records. If they are concerned about your health they can refer you to occupational health who can in turn sign you as fit/unfit for work after liasing with your GP and yourself. There will be no passing of records, and your GP will only disclose things to occupational health staff with your consent. Failure to comply with this process may result in occupational health not being able to sign you as fit for work. Your employer has no right whatsoever to know your specific medical history, but its your duty to disclose any contagious or blood borne diseases if your position causes you to be placing others at risk. But only when the actual job you do places others at risk. You are entitled to the utmost privacy and confidentiality about your medical history.

[Rockylex]

An potential employer has a right to view your medical records beofre offering you employment.

At first a letter will be sent to yourself requesting to see them. On this letter there will be 3 options.

option 1 - Yes I permit you to view my records

option 2 - Yes I permit you to view my records but I would like to see them first and take out any information I do not wish you to see

Option 3 No I do not permit you to view my records.

Thats it!

All employers have to ask your permission in all instances especially if offering you a job.

[woofgang]

I am sure that rockylex is not correct in the UK. (I work for the NHS). Without a court order, the only people who can see your record are you (or your parents if you are under I think age 18) and clinicians involved in your care...and there is a process by which you have to apply and even you may not be allowed to see all of it.

[nfn]

woofgang, you cannot view another person's medical records under the age of 16 now. No GP will allow a third party to access your records without written consent from the practice itself. This consent for will be sent from your surgery to your registered home address and you must sign and return it. I think this is to make sure that employers don't trick or coerce employees into signing. This applies in England.

[woofgang]

here's what I should have done the first time, checked at the DoH website!!

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/InformationPolicy/PatientConfidentialityAndCaldicottGuardians/AccessHealthRecordsFAQ/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4039714&chk=iOJNGp