Medical Records Access

My first appointment with the GP is next week --- it's with the NHS.  The receptionist told me I could bring in my medical records ahead of time so it can be put into the system. 

Me and the hubby eventually plan on getting private health insurance as well.  My question is does anyone know if my medical records (which are extensive) will be input into a universal compter system where medical personnel either NHS, private, etc., can access it? 

Even if they are, I would still recommend giving them a copy and keeping the originals for your records.  In my experience (granted, here in the U.S.), even within the same hospital/clinic system, I've had problems with info gaps between clinics, labs, specialists, etc.  If you still have the originals, then if your private provider, or insurance company, ever has questions, you can simply give them a copy, rather then sending them on a bureaucratic goose-chase.

woadgrrl, that makes so much sense -- thank you!

DC_Girl,

It depends on how you define "universal computer system".

If you mean a computer system accessible by any medical facility anywhere in the UK, then no.

If you mean a computer system accessible by both a private medical facility and an NHS facility, then not likely.  Some private facilities may use NHS laboratories for blood work, etc., but usually the transfer of results entails sending the information out of the NHS network to the private facility, like any other transfer of information to any other third party.  UK confidentiality laws governing the release of medical information are very similar to what is in place in the US, and therefore the barriers to the routine flow of medical information between NHS and non-NHS institutions are similar to the US as well.  These barriers can be overcome via your provision of consent to share your medical records--just be aware that you'll likely have to go through some steps to achieve this.

If you mean a computer system accessible by both a GP and a NHS hospital within a given NHS trust, then this depends on the NHS trust.  My trust has to dictate letters from the hospital (either for inpatient care or outpatient care provided at clinics based at the hospital) which are mailed to GP clinics, and vice versa.  Other trusts may use the same computer system in both GP surgeries and hospitals; I don't know.  You'll have to ask your GP about it.

Even if there is free sharing of information, electronically or otherwise, between all of your healthcare providers, do not assume it has been shared or looked at.  The larger your file, the less likely each page will be looked at.  Errors take place, information gets lost, and medical staff are busy.  My advice to you is to keep the original copy of your medical records with you when you interact with healthcare professionals, and leave only copies.

How many pages are your records?  Depending on the size, a one page summary may be helpful for healthcare staff, and would increase the chance that the awareness of your medical history would be taken into account regarding future healthcare decisions.