Access to one's own medical records is a foundational patient right recognised by professional regulations in India.
The Regulatory Position
The professional conduct regulations require registered medical practitioners and institutions to supply medical records to the patient, or to an authorised attendant, upon request. The regulations prescribe timelines within which the records must be furnished, and quicker timelines apply in emergencies.
What Records Can Be Requested
Case sheets, investigation reports, operation notes, anaesthesia records, discharge summaries and billing records are commonly requested documents. Original records remain with the institution; patients are entitled to complete and legible copies.
Retention of Records
Regulations prescribe minimum retention periods for inpatient records. Separate statutes — for example, the PCPNDT Act for ultrasound records — prescribe their own retention requirements. Institutions involved in litigation should preserve all relevant records until final disposal of the matter.
Practical Guidance
Patients requesting records should do so in writing and retain acknowledgements. Institutions should maintain a documented process for handling record requests within the regulatory timelines.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.