Our impact: GP choice and correcting medical records
People who asked for our help learned what was possible within health and care.
One local resident was told by their GP practice that they have no right to choose who their healthcare professional would be. The patient had asked to see a specific GP and was told it was the General Practice policy that patients do not get a choice.
A female student told us that she prefers to speak to female GPs, but when she calls, they are all booked and she is offered appointments far into the future.
Another Kingston resident contacted us to find out how they might go about correcting an error in their medical records.
Healthwatch Kingston provided signposting to NHS guidance that helped people learn about their rights
- We referred people who contacted us for help about choosing who they see, to the advice and information in the 'NHS Choice Framework’ which explains you can ask to see a GP or nurse of your choice, and they must try to make sure you can.
- We signposted the person wishing to make a change to their medical record, to the NHS England ‘Amending patient and service user records’ guidance which provides advice for patients and service users requesting changes to their health and care records. It also covers how staff should amend records.
