Access to Personal Social Care and Health Records

We provide a wide range of services to the public. In order to provide these services, and to be able to give help with often very complicated personal and family difficulties, it is necessary obtain information about your circumstances. The information is kept confidential. You have the right of access to this information. You can also view our inter agency policy sharing information and confidentiality information.

What sort of information is kept?

People who receive help or advice from us, or who offer their services as carers, are asked to give information about themselves, their personal or family circumstances, and, for some services, their financial circumstances. This information is recorded, often on computer, together with information given by other people.

Is there any information that I cannot be given?

Information is often given to us by people other than the family or individuals. We treat all information given by other people as confidential and would need to receive their permission before passing it on.

Could I have my request for access refused?

Your request cannot be refused, however there may be a reason why some information which is held cannot be given to you. For example, where it is thought information would cause harm to you or another person. You could also be refused access to any information which is held for the purpose of prevention or detection of crime.

Can other people have access to my records?

Other people, including members of your family, cannot have access to your records without your consent. In the same way, you cannot have access to information about another person without their consent. These rules are the same whether you are a child, young person or adult.

You can authorise another person to make a request to access your personal information on your behalf. This person will then be called an agent.

How do I gain access to my personal records?

You can write to us at:

Adult and Community Services
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UG

Please mark your correspondence for the attention of the Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services.

How long does it take to get my information?

In normal circumstances, you will receive your information within 40 days of us receiving your request.

Is there a charge?

In some circumstances we may make a charge to cover the cost of providing copies of information. The maximum cost is £10.

Who will look at my request to access my information?

A Senior Manager will look at your request and get back in touch with you.

Can I appeal if I am refused access?

You can write to the Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services or make a complaint if you feel that your request to access information about you has been refused on unreasonable grounds. You can also challenge a decision to refuse access, through the Courts or through a person called the Data Protection Commissioner, at the following address:

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire

You can download a full copy of the document below. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.

Access to your Personal Records (2 pages, 125kb)

Publication date: June 2007