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Separated fathers rights to learn about daughters health fro...

Posted By stmac

"Separated fathers rights to learn about daughters health from GP"

About: NHS Highland (Health)

(as a parent/guardian),

I am a father, who was concerned about my 17month daughters health!

My ex partner is not does not play her responsibilities as a separated parent and does not let me know of my daughters health!

Leaving me worried, I made an appointment with me daughters GP,

Finding that when I got there the GP would not tell me of my own daughters medical reports, as it was confidential, which I felt was disgusting. How is a 17month toddler supposed to talk for herself. This can't be the law.

Can someone give me answers?

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Responses

Response from Maimie Thompson, Head of Public Relations and Engagement, Chief Executive's Office, NHS Highland 9 years ago
Maimie Thompson
Head of Public Relations and Engagement, Chief Executive's Office,
NHS Highland

Submitted on 17/07/2014 at 15:06
Published on Care Opinion at 15:19

picture of Maimie Thompson

Dear Stmac

I am sorry to hear of your worries and concerns. The advice I have been given is that you should contact the practice and formally request to see the information being held on your daughter. Under parental responsibilities and rights the wording of the guidance says "may include the right to access a child's health records ...". The guidance goes onto say that "in dealing with such a request a health professional will need to exercise their judgment on each individual case...". There are nuances in terms of fathers rights depending on marital status and when the child's birth was registered. The following guidance covers these points

http://www.ehealth.scot.nhs.uk/wp-content/documents/Access-to-Health-Data-Guidance-Note-November-2011.pdf

I would stress that I am not an expert on this and when consulting with colleagues the feed-back I have received is "it really depends" and so I dont know whether this guidance is partly or enirely pertinent.

You make a specific point around whether its the law? This question would be best answered by a lawyer or if that is not possible perhaps through CAB who run Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) and you can get some details on line http://www.patientadvicescotland.org.uk/ to local offices.

Hopefully others might comment and be able to give a more definitive answer. But meanwhile I hope this helps.

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