Crocus Medical Practice is committed to maintaining accurate, complete, and up-to-date medical records. If you believe that information held in your health record is incorrect, you have the right to ask us to review it.

We will consider all requests in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and relevant NHS guidance.

What Can Be Corrected?

Patients have the right to request the correction of factually inaccurate information, such as:

• Incorrect name or contact details
• Wrong date of birth
• Incorrect address
• Administrative errors
• Other factual inaccuracies within the record

Where an error is identified, we will take appropriate steps to correct or update the information.

Clinical Opinions

Medical records contain both factual information and professional clinical opinions.

While factual inaccuracies can be corrected, clinicians are not required to change a clinical opinion if they believe it accurately reflected their professional assessment at the time it was recorded.

If a clinical opinion is not changed, you may request that a statement of disagreement is added to your record so that your views are documented.

How to Request an Amendment

If you believe information in your medical record is inaccurate, you can contact the Practice and explain:

• Which information you believe is incorrect
• Why you believe it is inaccurate
• Any supporting evidence you may have

Requests can be made in writing and, where appropriate, we may ask for proof of identity or supporting documentation.

How We Review Requests

When we receive a request, we will:

1. Acknowledge and record the request.
2. Verify the identity of the person making the request.
3. Review the relevant information within the medical record.
4. Consider any evidence provided.
5. Consult the relevant clinician where necessary.
6. Respond within the timescales required by data protection legislation.

Where an amendment is agreed, the record will be updated appropriately.

If We Cannot Make the Requested Change

A request may be declined if:

• The information is considered accurate.
• The request relates to a clinician's professional opinion rather than a factual error.
• Altering the information would compromise the integrity of the medical record.

If we decide not to amend the record, we will explain our decision and advise you of your options, including the opportunity to add a statement of disagreement where appropriate.

Maintaining the Integrity of Medical Records

Medical records form an important part of your healthcare history. For patient safety and legal reasons, clinically relevant historical information is not routinely deleted.

Where changes are required, records are amended in a way that maintains a clear audit trail and preserves the integrity of the original record.

Concerns or Complaints

If you are unhappy with the outcome of a request to amend your medical record, you may contact:

• The Practice Manager
• The Practice Data Protection Lead
• The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Further information about your data protection rights is available at:

www.ico.org.uk