The Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 regulates the access to medical reports by insurance companies and employers that are produced by medical practitioners for employment or insurance purposes concerning individuals.
This Act was established to protect the rights of individuals by allowing them to access medical reports about themselves before they are sent to employers or insurance companies. The Act aims to ensure transparency and gives individuals the opportunity to consent to or refuse the release of their medical reports, as well as to request amendments to incorrect or misleading information. It also provides important protections for individuals, ensuring that they have control over the dissemination of their medical information for employment or insurance purposes. It aims to strike a balance between the needs of employers and insurance providers for medical information and the rights of individuals to privacy and accuracy in their medical records.
The Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 remains in force, providing essential protections for individual rights in relation to the access and use of medical reports. It continues to be relevant, particularly in light of increasing attention to privacy rights and data protection, guided by subsequent legislation such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and the GDPR principles in the UK.
