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GP records

(33 Posts)
coco12 Wed 02-Aug-23 15:33:51

I'm not sure actually. It was my GP at the time that organised the counselling so that may be the case.
I just need to accept it really as on the whole I would rather see my notes than not. And silly as it sounds, this information has been there for years.. I just didn't know about it. This is one of the reasons they stipulate you may be subject to things on your notes that could be upsetting etc.. and you sign to say you've understood.

Casdon Wed 02-Aug-23 15:26:32

Just a thought, but was the counsellor you saw attached to your GP practice? If so the file with her summary of your counselling sessions would form part of your GP records (as a folder), so it maybe that when you asked for your GP records it was opened and included for your benefit? I’d be surprised if it wasn’t password protected if that was the case.

coco12 Wed 02-Aug-23 15:08:25

Iam64

Counsellor records are confidential, so like you I’m surprised to read you found a full transcript in your GP records. I’d have expected a brief summary but I haven’t worked in the nhs.
Maybe this is an issue for you to explore and clarify during your first meeting with the therapist you’re due to meet with

So I've been back and read it all again and I was a bit unfair in saying full transcript so sorry to mislead but it did have a full description of my general thoughts and some things that I had said. I think I will definitely ask my future counsellor what the procedure is. Its unsettling though...

Salti Wed 02-Aug-23 08:41:54

I don't like this either. The variety of people who can see patients notes seems to be ever expanding. At a recent physiotherapy appointment at the surgery the physiotherapist made a comment that led my brother-in-law to realise that he had access, nurses too and when I got a dog bite and needed to know when I'd last had a tetanus injection the receptionist looked it up.
I used to believe that they were only accessible to my doctor and that's the way I'd prefer it.

Iam64 Wed 02-Aug-23 08:22:11

Counsellor records are confidential, so like you I’m surprised to read you found a full transcript in your GP records. I’d have expected a brief summary but I haven’t worked in the nhs.
Maybe this is an issue for you to explore and clarify during your first meeting with the therapist you’re due to meet with

Shelflife Wed 02-Aug-23 08:17:05

Like you I have always assumed that counselling sessions were strictly confidential!

Allsorts Wed 02-Aug-23 07:39:50

It’s always bothered me but there’s nothing you can do I’m afraid. If people have access to records you have to hope they are discreet.

coco12 Wed 02-Aug-23 07:30:31

Morning all.
I've recently got full access to my medical notes and was a bit shocked to find that there is a full transcript of my counselling sessions from many years ago. I'm due to see a counsellor again and it's put me off a bit. I'm a very private person and didnt realise the full chapter and verse would show on my notes.
If anyone has worked for a GP do you know who can see these notes, can a doctors receptionist for example? I think it was more a shock to me to see my feelings laid bare for myself to read if that makes sense. But I'd like to think it was between the counsellor and me.
Thanks for reading