Accessing Medical Records

It is important you are aware of your rights on healthcare and social support.

You have particular rights when you are waiting for or receiving health treatment or social support. Some are set out in the Patient Rights Act and Equality Act, while others come from targets that the Scottish Government has set.

• You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment of need if you think you (or someone you know) require help with day to day living
• You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment of need if you are caring for someone and need help to continue
• If your local authority decides you need social support, you can ask for Self Directed Support: where you manage your own care budget
• You should not wait more than 18 weeks for treatment after you have been referred for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
• You should not wait more than 18 weeks for treatment after you have been referred for a psychological therapy
• You should be encouraged and helped to be involved in decisions about your treatment
• You should be told about the care and treatment options open to you
• You can give feedback, comment on or complain about your treatment
• You can request support in using NHS services: for example you might need to be accompanied at appointments or get help with transport
• You can refuse treatment, unless you are being treated under the Mental Health Act
• Your medical records should be kept secure
• You should be allowed to see and, if necessary, correct your medical record, though there may be a charge for this
• You should be treated with dignity and respect
• You should not be treated unfairly because of your age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion, pregnancy or maternity
• You should receive care in an appropriate, safe and clean environment