HC Deb 02 May 1984 vol 59 cc171-2W
Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are made by institutions of higher education in Northern Ireland for allowing students to have access to their own examination results and to other academic or personal assessments about themselves; what guidance he has issued on this matter; whether he proposes to take any steps to encourage them to allow greater access both to automated and non-automated records; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Scott

Such arrangements are the responsibility of individual institutions; I have not issued any guidance on the matter nor have I any plans to do so. The Data Protection Bill will, of course, creat a general entitlement to access by individuals to automated personal records held on them when it comes into operation.

Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are made by health authorities in Northern Ireland to allow patients to have access to their own medical records; what guidance he has issued on this matter; whether he proposes to take any steps to encourage them to allow greater access to such information held on automated and non-automated records; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Chris Patten

Such access is normally a matter between the patient and the practitioner concerned. Arrangements can also be made for records to be disclosed to a practitioner of the patient's choice. The Department of Health and Social Services has issued guidance in circular HSS (0S3) 5/80 on access to health records in the context of legal proceedings.

The Data Protection Bill will creat a general entitlement to access by individuals to automated personal records when it comes into operation; but because unrestricted access to personal health data may not always be in the patient's best interests, the right of access is to be subject to modification by order.