§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress his Department has made in investigating the pulping of the public health files in 1974. [124892]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 10 July 2003]: An informal review is being undertaken by the Department of Health to clarify the facts surrounding the drive for United Kingdom self sufficiency in blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. The review is based on papers available from the time and is not addressing allegations that files from that period went missing.
§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that patients are given access to their medical records relating to plasma; and if he will make a statement. [124894]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 10 July 2003]: It is the responsibility of individual national health service organisations to ensure that they comply with legal requirements when dealing with requests for access to health records. The Data Protection Act 1998 provides individuals with a right of access to their health records. However there are certain circumstances in which the record holder may withhold information.
Access may be denied, or limited, where the information might cause serious harm to the physical or mental health or condition of the patient, or any other person, or where giving access would disclose information relating to or provided by a third person who had not consented to the disclosure. The decision over whether to grant or withhold access must be made by individual record holders. However individuals do have recourse to the NHS complaints procedure if they feel that their application for access has not been dealt with appropriately.