Request medical records (Subject Access Request) | Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Request medical records (Subject Access Request)

You can ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you. This is called a Subject Access Request.

Under data protection law, you have the right to:

  • know how we use your data
  • access your personal information
  • ask us to correct incorrect information
  • ask us to delete your data in some cases
  • ask us to stop or limit how we use your data
  • understand decisions made using automated systems

Learn about your data rights on the Information Commissioner’s Office website.

How to make a request

Before you apply:

  • You can usually only request your own information, unless you are allowed to act for someone else.
  • We will check your identity before we release any information.
  • If you ask for a large amount of information, we may ask you to narrow your request.
  • In some cases, we may accept a verbal request if we can confirm your identity.

You do not need to tell us why you are making a request.

If you can explain what information you need and include relevant dates, this can help us process your request more quickly.

Choose the hospital where your care took place

Not sure which hospital you need? View our hospitals and locations.

Southmead (formerly North Bristol NHS Trust)

Make a Subject Access Request for Southmead 

If you have any questions, contact the team:

Email: information.governance@nbt.nhs.uk 

Phone: 0117 414 2019 (option 1)

City and Weston (formerly University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust)

Make a Subject Access Request for City and Weston

You will be asked to create an account or log in, then select the appropriate request type.

If you have any questions, contact the team:  

Email: ahrteam@uhbw.nhs.uk   

Phone: 0117 342 1788

Response times

We aim to respond within 1 calendar month of receiving your request and confirming your identity.

If your request is complex or involves a large amount of information, we may extend this by up to 2 additional months. If this happens, we will contact you within the first month to explain why.

Verifying your identity

We must confirm your identity before we release any information. 

Depending on your request, we may ask for:

  • proof of identity
  • proof you can act for someone else (for example, consent, parental responsibility or legal documents)

When we may withhold information

In some cases, we cannot share certain information. This may include:

  • information about other people
  • confidential or legally privileged information
  • information that could cause serious harm if released

If we do not share information, we will explain why.

Questions, concerns or complaints

If you have a question or concern, please contact the relevant campus team using the details above.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Page last reviewed: 5 June 2026

Next review due: 5 June 2027