The Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 (c. 28) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which applies to people in England, Wales and Scotland. It came into effect on 1 January 1989.[1]
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to establish a right of access by individuals to reports relating to themselves provided by medical practitioners for employment or insurance purposes and to make provision for related matters. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 1988 c. 28 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 29 July 1988 |
| Text of the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
It gives patients the right to see reports written about them by a doctor for employment or insurance purposes with whom they have a normal doctor-patient relationship.[2] Patients can see a report before it is submitted and request changes. Access to a report can be withheld if the doctor thinks it likely to cause serious harm to the physical or mental health of the individual or others or indicate the intentions of the practitioner in respect of the individual, or to reveal the identity of another person who has supplied information.
The Access to Personal Files and Medical Reports (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 has similar effects.[3]
References
edit- ^ UK Legislation, Access to Medical Reports Act 1988, section 10(2), accessed 3 August 2021
- ^ "Access to medical reports". British Medical Association. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
- ^ "Access to medical reports" (PDF). British Medical Association. September 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.