Patients have rights to test results

I FIND it utterly ridiculous that hospitals do not give results of tests to patients.

Patients have to make written requests under the Freedom of Information Act to get copies of tests or medical records, but all documents and information are given immediately to the omnipotent GP who then decides what to share or not with you.

I recall at least two cases where this business practice has caused the death of the patient.

Is everybody in Ireland really happy with the typical phrase “the bloods are fine” as a full report on your blood tests results?

I wonder how can the Data Protection Act reconcile the fact that I am not entitled to receive the information immediately but have to go through a third party.

When I recently requested my medical records after a hospital stay I was asked if it was for a court case, it being so unusual that a person might want to store their own records.

I called the Mercy Hospital today, as instructed by my GP, to check on the status of some tests and was told again, with clearly dismissive tone, “we don’t give results to patients”. I wonder if I am the only one reading the irony in it.

I wonder how doctors would react if they went to the bakery to buy bread and were told “We don’t give it to customers, we give it to the bread-keeper who will deliver it to your house but only if you make a written request”.

I find it hard to believe they wouldn’t say “I paid for it, it’s mine, I am responsible for it — and I want it now”.

Sabrina Straventa

Carrigaline

Co Cork