Written Assembly Questions tabled on 8 November 2013 for answer on 15 November 2013

R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

(Self identifying Question no. shown in brackets)

To ask the First Minister

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister provide a list of current special advisors, their respective responsibilities, pay bands and corresponding Ministers to whom they are responsible? (WAQ65894)

Answer received on 22 November 2013

First Minister of Wales (Carwyn Jones): I lay a written statement addressing these issues annually; my last such statement was laid on 17 July.  All Special Adviser appointments are made by me and they are accountable to me.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What assessment has the Minister made of whether the cost is prohibitive to patients’ ability to access their medical records? (WAQ65890)

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What guidance is issued to health boards regarding the ability of patients to access medical records informally and giving a sliding scale of charges as in England? (WAQ65893)

Answer received on 18 November 2013 (WAQ65890 & 65893)

Mark Drakeford: Access to Health Records and charges therein are set within the current Data Protection Act 1998 legislation (Fees and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2001, and partly via Health Records Act 1990

Under the Data Protection Act 1998 individuals have a general right of access to personal information which relates to them.  If the information requested relates to a health record, then a maximum of £50 can be charged.   This charge will vary depending on the type of record and whether the patient requires copies of the records or just to view them.  If the health record has been added to within the previous 40 days from the date of the information request, no charge will be made for viewing the record.  Where a permanent copy of the information is to be provided, the maximum fee may be charged by NHS Organisations. Specific charging policy is made by each Local Health Board.

The Access to Health Records Act 1990 and the Data Protection Act 1984 was superseded by the Data Protection Act 1998.  The exception to this is for access to records of the deceased, which are still governed by the Access to Health Records Act 1990. Under the Act, the Health Board is entitled to charge the fees as outlined above and in Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 regarding access to health.

This legislation informs NHS Organisations as to the appropriate mechanism by which charges occur. The legislation applies equally across England and Wales.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What consideration has the Minister given to enabling patients to access their medical records electronically? (WAQ65891)

Answer received on 15 November 2013

Mark Drakeford: My Health Online forms part of the Welsh Government's ongoing commitment to improving access to services and to health information for patients.

Currently, the NHS Wales Informatics Service is looking into a number of technical options that would allow patients to have online access to their medical records. This will contribute to a wider consultation on access to medical records with citizens and health professionals, which will inform how and when online access to medical records in Wales will become available. 

To ask the Minister for Housing and Regeneration

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): When does the Minister expect the Vale of Glamorgan's full consultation on the LDP to become the working LDP document? (WAQ65892)

Answer received on 12 November 2013