Transfer of your GP health records

In Scotland, the transfer of your GP health records is managed by Practitioner Services who work on behalf of your NHS Board. GP practices return the records to us for patients who are no longer registered with them. If you've changed your GP practice, we send these records on to your new GP.

How are my previous records traced when I change GP practice?

Your new GP practice will ask for information about your identity, your previous address and previous GP practice when you register. It is important to provide this information accurately so that your records can be traced. Your GP practice will supply this information to Practitioner Services so that they can provide them with your previous records.

If you were previously registered with a GP in Scotland

Practitioner Services will find an entry for you on the Community Health Index (CHI) national database. When they update your CHI information, a request is sent to your old GP practice which asks them to send your records to us. We will then send them to your new GP practice.

If you've previously lived elsewhere in the United Kingdom

Practitioner Services work with other organisations to request your records. We send the identity data you provided to NHS Central Register Scotland. NHS Central Register can trace where you were previously registered. They make sure the appropriate authorities in England, Wales or Northern Ireland know you are now in Scotland and that your GP records should be sent to Practitioner Services.

How are my records sent?

Paper records are sent to and from GP practices through an approved courier contracted to the NHS.

If your records are held on the GP practice computer system, Practitioner Services can usually transfer them electronically to your new GP practice, if you've moved within Scotland. These are moved automatically to your new GP practice through a secure electronic route.

If your new GP practice cannot accept the electronic records, we print them onto paper for your new GP practice. These are sent in the same way as paper records to your new GP practice.

At present there is no mechanism to send electronic records between different parts of the United Kingdom. Currently we print these and send them as paper records.

Practitioner Services are currently working with NHS agencies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to develop this service.