Patricia Hewitt says "we are all responsible for our own health". What has Labour actually done to empower individuals to do this?

This is based on my own experience of having a large (about 3kg mass and other things) removed from my abdomen recently at St Thomas Hospital.

Whilst in hospital, I found out that I was not allowed to read my medical notes which were kept in the corridor. Only medical staff were allowed to read and see what was removed from me, what medication I had been given etc. Apparently I could write in to the hospital administration and make an appointment to read them under the supervision of administrative staff or speak to staff.

Of course whilst ill, one cannot always get into proper discussions whilst recovering. When I got to see my GP the information the GP received was not complete information as to what was removed and found in my abdomen. My GP had just info regarding the 3kg abnormal mass and not the other two masses' found during surgery as the surgeon and follow-up hospital appointment informed me.

My point is if I had been given a copy of what medication I received, what was actually found and removed along with a copy of the histology report I can than take responsibility for my own health rather than relying on a GP who may or may not receive the complete information or indeed read it unless challenged by the patient (something not many people are comfortable with doing).

If teachers have to give pupils reports on what they have been taught and what they have actually learnt in school, isn't it about time the medical profession stopped the cloak and dagger attitude when one wants to read or have copies of their medical notes? What are they afraid of?

Similarly, it is a bit of a nonsense with the Freedom of Information Act that when it comes to what was administered or done to one's own body this is treated as some sort of a top secret mission.

By Renee Novotna, Lewisham

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