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Open Review access to deceased patients' records and oversight of NHS complaints

Created by Shaun Kelly
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Review the Access to Health Records Act 1990 and NHS complaints arrangements in England. Reform should make access to deceased patients' records clearer and more consistent, with national evidence standards, independent review of serious complaints, and ICO oversight of access disputes.

Bereaved families can face uncertainty about who may access a deceased person's health records, what evidence is required, whether disclosure is complete and how refusals can be independently challenged. There is no equivalent ICO route for these disputes, while NHS complaints are usually investigated first by the organisation complained about. Government should review whether the system is clear, accessible and independent while protecting confidentiality.

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    This petition will stay open until 2 May 2027.