Redaction for online viewing

We have recently received several emails from practices reporting that patients have been able to view information online that should not have been accessible to them.

Please remember that all practices must have robust redaction processes in place to ensure that third‑party information and any information which could cause serious harm is not made available for online viewing. Clinicians should always feel confident recording the information necessary for safe, high‑quality care, without concern that inappropriate content will be inadvertently shared with the patient.

Before enabling access to historical records, the entire record should be reviewed to identify and withhold any entries containing third‑party information or information that may result in serious harm, if disclosed. While this review process can be time‑consuming, it is best practice and essential for protecting patients, third parties, and the integrity of the clinical record.

Marking an entry as “not available for online viewing” ensures that the patient (or their proxy) cannot see it, while clinicians and authorised staff can continue to view the full, unredacted record.

We have published a factsheet about safeguarding information here: 46. Safeguarding Reports in Medical Records – N3i Information Governance

National guidance is available here: NHS England » Redaction