Written by Rick Gregory, Editorial Lead · Legal information checked in collaboration with Edward & Amaury Solicitors (SRA 800525) · September 2026 · ~4 min read
Quick Summary
- You have the right under UK GDPR to request copies of your own medical records from your GP surgery or hospital
- Records from around the time of your accident onwards are useful evidence, showing the timing of your injury and its treatment
- Your solicitor will normally request these on your behalf as part of building your claim, with your consent
- These records are separate from — and normally used alongside — an independent medical examination arranged specifically for your claim
Why do medical records matter for my claim?
Your GP and hospital records provide a contemporaneous, professional account of your injury: when you first sought treatment, what was diagnosed, and how your recovery progressed. This helps establish the timing and nature of your injury and supports the account you've given of what happened and how it's affected you.
How do I request my own medical records?
You have the right under UK GDPR to request access to your own medical records, generally referred to as a Subject Access Request. You can make this request directly to your GP practice or the hospital trust that treated you. Most practices have a straightforward process for this — often a simple written or online request is enough.
Will my solicitor do this for me?
Usually, yes. Once you've instructed a solicitor, they will normally request relevant medical records on your behalf, with your written consent, as part of gathering evidence for your claim. This is standard practice and saves you having to navigate the request process yourself.
How far back do the records need to go?
This depends on your injury. For a straightforward, recent injury, records from shortly before the accident (to establish your prior health) through to your recovery are usually sufficient. For claims involving a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by the accident, or a gradually developing condition, records covering a longer period may be needed to properly show the change caused by the accident.
Are my medical records the same as an independent medical examination?
No — they're related but different. Your GP and hospital records are created for your ongoing treatment, documenting what happened and when. An independent medical examination is a separate assessment, arranged specifically for your claim, by an expert who gives a focused opinion on your diagnosis, severity, and prognosis for the purposes of valuing your compensation. See our guide on independent medical examinations for more detail. Your solicitor typically uses both together — your treatment records and the independent expert's report — to build the full medical picture.
Is there anything in my records I should be worried about being seen?
Your solicitor's role is to represent your claim honestly, using the medical evidence as it actually is. If your records mention something unrelated to your workplace injury, this generally isn't relevant to your claim and doesn't need to feature in it — but it's worth discussing anything you're unsure about directly with your solicitor rather than worrying about it alone.
How long does it take to get medical records?
Under UK GDPR, healthcare providers generally must respond to a Subject Access Request within one month, though this can occasionally take longer for complex or extensive records, or where an extension is reasonably needed.
Do I have to pay for a copy of my own medical records?
Generally no — a first copy of your own personal data should be provided free of charge under UK GDPR.
Frequently asked questions
What if I've moved GP surgeries since the accident?
Your solicitor can request records from any relevant former surgery or hospital, provided you give the necessary consent for each.
Can my employer see my full medical records because of my claim?
No — your medical records are provided for the purposes of your claim and shared only as reasonably necessary with the relevant parties (such as the insurer's legal representatives), not directly with your employer's day-to-day management.
What if there's a delay in getting my records?
Tell your solicitor — they can chase requests that are taking longer than expected and, where genuinely necessary, take further steps to obtain records that are being unreasonably withheld.
Need help gathering your medical evidence?
See our full evidence guide for the complete picture, or speak to a solicitor about your specific claim.
Or call 01228 272395 to speak to Edward & Amaury Solicitors (SRA number: 800525). No upfront cost and nothing to pay if your claim does not succeed.