02 October 2019
New Consent Form Launched to Support Patients Seeking Medical Records
Law Society House in Belfast was the venue for the launch of a new initiative which aims to support local GP’s, solicitors and clients.
The new ‘Joint Consent Form’ has been developed by the Law Society of Northern Ireland and British Medical Association (BMA).
It is a part of a joint initiative from the two professional bodies which will run as a pilot and aims to significantly improve the process by which solicitors seek client’s GP notes and records.
The development of the new form is in response to an increase in requests for patient notes and records and a recognition by both professional bodies of the need to provide work collaboratively.
The new form is provided in a clear, concise and user friendly format and is supported by explanatory notes for the client, Solicitor and GP in a compatible and easy to use format. The form is provided by the solicitor and is completed when the client attends to give instructions.
This is the first in a series of initiatives which it is hoped will build on best practice and identify areas of mutual interest to the two professional bodies.
Commenting on the launch the Senior Vice President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, Eileen Ewing said
“The Law Society is delighted to be working with the BMA on this Joint Pilot initiative which will undoubtedly support both professions in the services they provide to clients and patients”.
Dr Alan Stout, Chair of BMA Northern Ireland’s general practice committee added,
“Administration workload for GP's has increased exponentially over the past few years and changes in data governance were adding to this burden. By developing this form in conjunction with the Law Society of Northern Ireland we hope that the process will be simplified and will free up GP time to see patients.”