request for medical records

[alexey]

if you are handing in sick notes to your employer because you are off sick after how long can they request to see your medical records and do you have to oblige when they do ask?

[Miss Zippy]

There�s no hard and fast rule as to how long you need to be off sick before your employer might ask to see your medical records or request a report from your GP (or any other doctor who might be treating you). Probably the earliest that most employers would want to look into your medical circumstances would be after 4 weeks continuous absence, though other employers might leave it longer. You do not have to give your consent to your employers contacting your doctor/obtaining copies of your medical records, but if you are not open with them, there is a risk that your employer will dismiss you on the information available to them (they would have to go through a formal dismissal procedure and warn you of this in advance).

[bondy]

You do not have to show anyone your medical records nor should you - for the reason youve given. They are confidential. You would be best to ask your doctor to write a proper letter to them saying what the problem is or to ask him for advice. You may have to pay a small amount these days but they will tell you first.
I would never show anyone all my medical records.

[xrayspecs]

Your employers have absolutely no rights to see your medical records. They are not (I assume) medically qualified to make judgements on what your records contain therefore there is no benefit in having sight of them.

[WendyS]

Your employer has no right to see the medical records your GP holds. The only way they can have access to this information is if you sign a formal Medical Consent to Release Information form. If you are unhappy about doing this, you are perfectly free to withhold consent. However, unless your medical condition is particularly sensitive, it would probably be in your own interest to be honest about your current complaint. You can request your GP only to release information about this, but not any other previous condition , i.e. if your current sickness is being caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome for example, this can be revealed, but if you previously suffered from alcoholism or depression your employer does not automatically have the right to know this.

[alexey]

thanks for replying.

i have actually shown the letter of request for my medical records to my doctor and he said to just fill the form of consent in and send it back to them but i still dont think its right that they see them. there is nothing in them that i am ashamed of its just that they are my personal records. my employers have told me that if i dont consent then they could sack me on medical grounds. they also want me to have a medical but if the doctor has already signed me off sick then why would i need a medical.

i am on the sick with stress and anxiety.

[xrayspecs]

Your employers can not sack you for being off sick. They can request that you see their company doctor who may suggest that they retire you on medical grounds. If they sack you for being off sick you have a case to take to an employment tribunal.

[alexey]

yes but the thing is they want me to go for a medical with my own doctor, not with one of theres. and if my own doctor is already giving me sicknotes then whats the point?

[Miss Zippy]

Your employers have asked for a report from your GP so they can establish how much longer you are likely to be absent and also to establish if your working conditions need to be changed in any way to accommodate your illness/condition (though employers are not obliged to offer you an alternative job). Employers can legitimately dismiss employees who are absent due to long term illness, but they must go through the proper channels otherwise for the dismissal to be fair (e.g. an employer can't just call you at home and tell you you've been dismissed).

[Elfin]

Hi alexey

I'm in exactly the same situation as you at the moment and am just about to fill in a load of forms regarding the illness. In my case, this needs to be done for the private health scheme company so that they can pay me sick pay when my 6 weeks is up. I don't have the forms yet but I was told that my doctor needs to complete one of them, I need to complete another, my employer completes yet another and the health company then decides if I am entitled.

If your sick pay/job depends on it then I'd suggest you comply with their request. However, do remember that as you are off with stress and anxiety, they have to be careful. If your illness is caused in any way by your work environment, they are obliged to do their best to change things and encourage you back gently. Stress at work is an increasing problem for companies and there are guidelines issued by the H&S Executive. You might be surprised at what is classed as stress at work.

I am not that worried about them accessing information from my doctor (got more important things to stress about!).

Good luck!