Access to Health Records Act 1990
1990 c. 23An Act to establish a right of access to health records by the individuals to whom they relate and other persons; to provide for the correction of inaccurate health records and for the avoidance of certain contractual obligations; and for connected purposes.
Enacted[13th July 1990] C1
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Preliminary¶
1 E1“Health record” and related expressions.¶
2 Health professionals.¶
In this Act, “health professional” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 204 of that Act).Main provisions¶
3 Right of access to health records.¶
4 Cases where right of access may be wholly excluded.¶
5 Cases where right of access may be partially excluded.¶
6 Correction of inaccurate health records.¶
7 Duty of health service bodies etc. to take advice.¶
Supplemental¶
8 Applications to the court.¶
9 Avoidance of certain contractual terms.¶
Any term or condition of a contract shall be void in so far as it purports to require an individual to supply any other person with a copy of a health record, or of an extract from a health record, to which he has been given access under section 3(2) above.10 Regulations and orders.¶
11 Interpretation.¶
In this Act—- “application” means an application in writing and “apply” shall be construed accordingly;
- “care” includes examination, investigation, diagnosis and treatment;
- F17. . .
- “general medical services contract” means a contract under section 84 of the National Health Service Act 2006 or section 42 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006;
- “general medical services contract” means a contract under section 17J of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978
- F21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- “Health Authority” means a Health Authority established under section 8 of the National Health Service Act 1977;
- “Health Board” has the same meaning as in the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978;
- “health service body” means—
- a Health Board;
- a State Hospital Management Committee constituted under section 91 of the M1Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984; or
- a National Health Service trust first established under section 5 of the M2National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 , section 25 of the National Health Service Act 2006 or section 18 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 or section 12A of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978;
- an NHS foundation trust;
- NHS England;
- “information”, in relation to a health record, includes any expression of opinion about the patient;
- “Local Health Board” means a Local Health Board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006;
- “make”, in relation to such a record, includes compile;
- F17. . .
- F42...
- “Special Health Authority” means a Special Health Authority established under section 28 of the National Health Service Act 2006 or section 22 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006.
- F43...
12 Short title, commencement, and extent.¶
Footnotes
- C1Act: transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1
- E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only.
- F1Words in s. 1(1) repealed (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 74(2), Sch. 16 Pt. I; S.I 2000/183, art. 2(1)
- F2S. 1(2)(a)(aa) substituted for s. 1(2)(a) (E.W.) (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), ss. 184, 199(1)(4), Sch. 11 para. 57(2); S.I. 2004/288, art. 5(1)(2)(v) (as amended by S.I. 2004/866, art. 2); S.I. 2004/480, art. 4(2)(z) (as amended by S.I. 2004/1019, art. 2 and S.I. 2006/345, art. 8)
- C2S. 1(2)(a) modified (E.) (1.4.2004) by The General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/865), art. 109(2)(c) and (W.) (1.4.2004) by The General Medical Services Transitional and Consequential Provisions (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1016), art. 85(2)(c)
- F3Words in s. 1(2)(aa) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8, Sch. 1 para. 135 (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)
- F4Words in s. 1(2)(b) inserted (E.W.) (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), ss. 184, 199(1)(4), Sch. 11 para. 57(3); S.I. 2004/288, art. 5(1)(2)(v) (as amended by S.I. 2004/866, art. 2); S.I. 2004/480, art. 4(2)(z) (as amended by S.I. 2004/1019, art. 2 and S.I. 2006/345, art. 8)
- E2This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only
- F5S. 1(2)(a)(aa) substituted (S.) (1.4.2004) for s.1(2)(a) by The Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 (Modification of Enactments) Order 2004 (S.S.I. 2004/167), art. 2, Sch. para. 3(2)
- C3S. 1(2)(a) modified (S.) (1.4.2004) by The General Medical Services and Section 17C Agreements (Transitional and other Ancillary Provisions) (Scotland) Order 2004 (S.S.I. 2004/163), art. 96(2)(b)
- F6Words in s. 1(2)(b) inserted (S.) (1.4.2004) by The Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 (Modification of Enactments) Order 2004 (S.S.I. 2004/167), art. 2, Sch. para. 3(3)
- F7S. 3(1)(a)-(e) repealed (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 74(1), Sch. 16 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 para. 17(1)(a)); S.I. 2000/183, art. 2(1)
- F8S. 3(1)(ee) inserted (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2000 asp 4, s. 88(2), Sch. 5 para. 21; S.S.I. 2001/81, art. 3, Sch. 2
- F9Words in s. 3(6)(a) repealed (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 74(1), Sch. 4 para. 17(1), Sch. 16 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 para. 17(1)(a)); S.I. 2000/183, art. 2(1)
- F10S. 4(1)(2) repealed (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 74(2), Sch. 16 Pt. I; S.I. 2000/183. art. 2(1)
- F11Words in s. 5(1)(a)(i) repealed (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 74(2), Sch. 16 Pt. I; S.I. 2000/183, art. 2(1)
- F12Words in s. 5(3) substituted (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 74(1), Sch. 15 para. 13; S.I. 2000/183, art. 2(1)
- F13Words in s. 7(1) repealed (28.6.1995 for certain purposes and otherwise at 1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17, ss. 2(1)(3), 5(1), 8(1), Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 119(3)(a), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2 paras. 6, 16)
- F14Words in s. 7(2) repealed (E.W) (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), ss. 184, 196, 199, Sch. 11 para. 57(4)(a), Sch. 14 Pt. 4; S.I. 2004/288, art. 5(1)(2)(v) (as amended by S.I. 2004/866, art. 2); S.I. 2004/480, art. 4(2)(z) (as amended by S.I. 2004/1019, art. 2 and S.I. 2006/345, art. 8); and repealed (S.) (1.4.2004) by The Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 (Modification of Enactments) Order 2004 (S.S.I. 2004/167), art. 2, Sch. para. 3(4)(a)
- F15S. 7(3) repealed (E.W) (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), ss. 184, 196, 199, Sch. 11 para. 57(4)(b), Sch. 14 Pt. 4; S.I. 2004/288, art. 5(1)(2)(v) (as amended by S.I. 2004/866, art. 2); S.I. 2004/480, art. 4(2)(z) (as amended by S.I. 2004/1019, art. 2 and S.I. 2006/345, art. 8); and repealed (S.) (1.4.2004) by The Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 (Modification of Enactments) Order 2004 (S.S.I. 2004/167), art. 2, Sch. para. 3(4)(b)
- F16Words in s. 10(2) repealed (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 74(2), Sch. 16 Pt. I; S.I. 2000/183, art. 2(1)
- F17Definitions of “child” and “parental responsibility” repealed (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 74(2) Sch. 16 Pt. I; S.I. 2000/183, art. 2(1)
- F18S. 11: definition of "general medical services contract" inserted (E.W.) (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), ss. 184, 199, Sch. 11 para. 57(5)(a); S.I. 2004/288, art. 5(1)(2)(v) (as amended by S.I. 2004/866, art. 2); S.I. 2004/480, art. 4(2)(z) (as amended by S.I. 2004/1019, art. 2)
- F19In s. 11 words in definition of "general medical services contract" substituted (E.W.) (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8, Sch. 1 para. 136(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)
- F20S. 11: definition of "general medical services contract" inserted (S.) (1.4.2004) by The Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 (Modification of Enactments) Order 2004 (S.S.I. 2004/167), art. 2, Sch. para. 3(5)(a)
- F21S. 11: definition of "general practitioner" repealed (E.W.) (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), ss. 184, 196, 199, Sch. 11 para. 57(5)(b), Sch. 14 Pt. 4; S.I. 2004/288, arts. {5(1)(2)(v)}, {6(2)(j)} (as amended by S.I. 2004/866, art. 2); S.I. 2004/480, arts. {4(2)(z)}, {5(2)(j)} (as amended by S.I. 2004/1019, art. 2); and omitted (S.) (1.4.2004) by virtue of The Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 (Modification of Enactments) Order 2004 (S.S.I. 2004/167), art. 2, Sch. para. 3(5)(b)
- F22Definition of “Health Authority” inserted (28.6.1995) by 1995 c. 17, s. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 119(4)(a) (with Sch. 2 paras. 6, 16)
- F23S. 11: definition of "Health Authority" repealed (E.W.) (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 6, 8, Sch. 1 para. 136(b), Sch. 4 (with Sch. 2 Pt. 1, Sch. 3 Pt. 1)
- F24Para. (a) in definition of “health service body” substituted (28.6.1995) by 1995 c. 17, s. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 119(4)(b) (with Sch. 2 paras. 6, 16)
- F25S. 11: words in para. (a) of definition of “health service body” substituted (1.10.2002) by S.I. 2002/2469, reg. 4, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 para. 17(a)
- F26Words in the definition of “health service body” in s. 11 substituted (E.W.) (8.2.2000) by S.I. 2000/90, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 25(a)
- F27S. 11: words in definition of "health service body" inserted (1.4.2007) by The References to Health Authorities Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/961), art. 3, Sch. para. 21(2)(a)
- F28S. 11: definition of "health service body" para. (c) repealed (S.) (5.10.2005) by Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp. 13), ss. 331(2)(3), 333(2)-(4), Sch. 5 Pt. 1; S.S.I. 2005/161, art. 3 (as amended by S.S.I. 2005/375, art. 2)
- M11984 c. 36.
- F29Word in s. 11 repealed (E.W.) (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), ss. 34, 196, 199, Sch. 4 para. 88, Sch. 14 Pt. 1; S.I. 2004/759, art. 2; S.I. 2004/288, art. 6(2)(j) (as amended by S.I. 2004/866, art. 2); S.I. 2004/480, art. 5(2)(z) (as amended by S.I. 2004/1019, art. 2)
- M21990 c. 19.
- F30In s. 11 words in definition of " health service body" para. (d) inserted (E.W.) (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8, Sch. 1 para. 136(c) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)
- F31S. 11: definition of "health service body" para. (e) inserted (E.W.) (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), ss. 34, 199, Sch. 4 para. 88; S.I. 2004/759, art. 2
- F32S. 11: definition of "Local Health Board" inserted (1.4.2007) by The References to Health Authorities Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/961), art. 3, Sch. para. 21(2)(b)
- F33Definition of “Special Health Authority” inserted (28.6.1995) by 1995 c. 17, s. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 119(4)(c) (with Sch. 2, paras. 6, 16)
- F34In s. 11 words in definition of " Special Health Authority" substituted (E.W.) (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8, Sch. 1 para. 136(e) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)
- F35Words in s. 1(2)(a) substituted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 63(a)(i); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-10, Sch. para. 15)
- F36Words in s. 1(2)(a) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 63(a)(ii); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-10, Sch. para. 15)
- F37Words in s. 1(2)(aa) substituted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 63(b)(i); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-10, Sch. para. 15)
- F38Words in s. 1(2)(aa) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 63(b)(ii); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-10, Sch. para. 15)
- F39Words in s. 11 omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 64(a)(i); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)
- F40Words in s. 11 substituted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 64(a)(ii); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)
- F41Words in s. 11 omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 64(a)(iii); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)
- F42Definition of “Primary Care Trust” in s. 11 omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 64(b); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)
- F43Definition of “Strategic Health Authority” in s. 11 omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 64(c); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)
- F44Words in s. 8(5) substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 52; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)
- F45S. 2 substituted (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 37 (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)
- F46Words in s. 3(4) omitted (25.5.2018) by virtue of Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 38(3) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)
- F47Words in s. 3(2) omitted (25.5.2018) by virtue of Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 38(2) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)
- F48Words in s. 1(2)(a) substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 1 para. 3(a)(i); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
- F49Words in s. 1(2)(a) substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 1 para. 3(a)(ii); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
- F50Words in s. 1(2)(aa) substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 1 para. 3(b)(i); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
- F51Words in s. 1(2)(aa) inserted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 1 para. 3(b)(ii); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
- F52Words in s. 11 substituted (1.2.2023) by The Health and Social Care Information Centre (Transfer of Functions, Abolition and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/98), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 6 (with reg. 3)
- F53S. 3(1)(g) inserted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 29(2) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(n)