To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to ensure that medical practitioners in the UK have speedy access to medical records of new patients who are from overseas outside the UK, but within the EU; and what discussions have been held with the Home Office to minimise delay in obtaining such records, particularly in cases where there are serious mental health problems and illnesses.[108634]

Under European Data Protection legislation, United Kingdom medical practitioners have no right to request access to medical records from non-UK administrations. Where treating clinicians are aware of a previous medical history, they can only request it with the patient's authorisation.There have been no discussions with the Home Office on this subject.