Accessing your Health Records

You have the right to access the information we hold about you, such as your medical information.

Requests must be made in writing to the Access to Medical Records department.

The Trust will provide your information to you within one month from receipt of your application. This can be extended dependent on the complexity of the request.

Please note that some or all of the information requested may be withheld in reliance on exemptions contained within the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

You must complete a request form to see your records using the form above. A copy of a form of photo identification is required for all access requests (e.g. passport, driving license NUS card).

For all requests, a copy of a utility bill or bank statement no more than three months old will also be required to confirm address. You must provide your identity documents with the request form. (These will be destroyed once the request is closed.)

The application form and identification It should then be sent to: Access to Health Records, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Town Lane, Kew, Southport, PR8 6PN or soh-tr.access-to-health@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk.

If you require assistance, please call 01704 704616 or email soh-tr.access-to-health@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk.

Access to records of a deceased person

Records of the deceased are governed by the Access to Health Records Act and are usually kept for eight years after the patient’s death.

Only the person with an absolute right of access is the personal representative, who is the executor or administrator of the deceased persons’ estate.

Other individuals with a claim may request information and will be required to define on what grounds the request is being made.