In Cyprus, patients have the right to access and examine their medical records under Article 17, free of charge for the first copy as per GDPR. This includes viewing or obtaining a copy and the ability to correct information. Rights include non-discriminatory healthcare access, confidentiality, and understanding personal medical data.
What are the patient rights to access medical records in Cyprus?
In Cyprus, patients have the right to access and examine their medical records under Article 17, free of charge for the first copy as per GDPR. This includes viewing or obtaining a copy and the ability to correct information. Rights include non-discriminatory healthcare access, confidentiality, and understanding personal medical data.
The Right to Dignified Healthcare
In Cyprus, every individual who steps into the role of a patient is inherently entitled to certain rights. These rights are fundamentally linked to the core values of human dignity and encompass the right to life, mental and physical integrity, and respect for private life. The right to dignified healthcare is not merely a lofty ideal but is enshrined in the legal framework of Cyprus through the 2004 Law on Entitlement and Protection of Patients’ Rights, Law 1(I)/2005. This law articulates the entitlement to healthcare and treatment, access to health services without discrimination, and the all-important right to information and confidentiality.
The Legal Landscape
The law stipulates several important provisions, including the maintenance of medical records by healthcare providers, whether they be doctors, dentists, pharmacists, or members of paramedical staff. These records are crucial as they trace the journey of a patient’s treatment, encompassing past medical history, current diagnosis, and the treatments administered. Control mechanisms are also in place within the law to ensure these rights can be exercised and complaints can be duly examined.
Patient’s Access to Medical Records
Under Article 17, a patient is granted the right to access and examine their medical records, which means they can either directly view the information or obtain a copy. This right extends to the ability to object to or correct the information contained within these files.
Free Access to Personal Data
A recent case, judged by the Court of Justice of the European Union (Case C-307/22), has highlighted the patient’s right to a free copy of their medical file, as derived from the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The case involved a patient requesting a copy of their medical file from a dentist in Germany, who insisted on charging for the copy as per German law. The court ruled that the first copy of one’s personal data, which includes the medical file, should be provided free of charge.
Complete Understanding of Medical Data
Patients have the right to a complete copy of their medical records when it is necessary for the understanding of their personal medical data. This includes detailed records of diagnoses, examination results, and notes from their treating physicians.
Specializing in Immovable Property Law
George Coucounis, a lawyer based in Larnaca, specializes in Immovable Property Law and can be reached for further information on the subject. His contact details are provided for those seeking legal advice in this area.
With this framework, Cyprus continues to uphold and protect the rights of patients, ensuring that the principles of dignity and transparency remain at the forefront of healthcare provision.
Quick Recap
- Patients in Cyprus have the right to access and examine their medical records for free under Article 17 of the GDPR.
- The right to dignified healthcare is protected by the 2004 Law on Entitlement and Protection of Patients’ Rights in Cyprus.
- The law requires healthcare providers to maintain medical records, and control mechanisms are in place to ensure patients’ rights are upheld.
- Patients have the right to access and obtain a copy of their medical records, as well as the ability to correct any information.
- A recent court ruling stated that patients are entitled to a free copy of their medical file under the GDPR.
