11 questions about your medical record

Who has access to the LSP?

If you give permission for this, certain healthcare providers can view your medical data. This is done via a digital network: the National Switch Point. Handy in times of emergency. But who actually has access to your medical data? And who doesn’t? Eleven questions about the medical record.

Many patients have already been asked the question by their pharmacy or GP: “Do you agree that your medical data is exchanged between healthcare providers?” Most have said ‘yes’ to this system, which is officially called the National Switch Point (LSP). This allows certain healthcare providers to access their medical data.

1. What medical data is involved?

The care providers see an up-to-date overview of the medicines that the patient is taking (from the pharmacy) and a summary of the GP file. This file contains current health problems, medicines, allergies and information about the last contacts with the general practitioner. Are you being treated by a medical specialist? The file with the specialist is not accessible via the LSP. Specialists can request information from the pharmacy and general practitioner, but they cannot add data themselves.

2. What is the advantage?

Suppose you become ill at the weekend and your own GP practice is closed. Then you will probably end up with an unknown general practitioner or specialist, and that can be difficult when providing good care. After all, it is important that healthcare providers know about your health, so that they know, for example, that you are allergic to certain painkillers.

3. Who can view my data?

(Acting) general practitioners, (hospital) pharmacists and medical specialists. But only if they are affiliated with the LSP. In all cases, the following applies: a healthcare provider may only view your medical data if you are being treated by him or her and if the information is necessary to provide good care. A doctor cannot simply request information from an acquaintance. Furthermore, they may only view information that is relevant to their own work. For example, an acting GP can request the summary of the GP file, but a pharmacist cannot.

4. What about abroad?

Doctors and other healthcare providers abroad can never use the LSP. Only healthcare providers registered and established in the Netherlands can join the LSP.

5. Can health insurers view my medical file?

No, health insurers do not have access to the LSP. The same applies to company doctors, dentists, psychologists and physiotherapists. Employers also do not have access to the LSP.

6. How do I give permission to exchange my medical data?

If the question has not yet been presented to you by your GP or pharmacy and you do want to participate in the LSP, you can raise this yourself with your GP or pharmacy. You can also register via www.volgjezorg.nl.

7. I gave permission, but I changed my mind. How do I turn it back?

You can withdraw your consent at any time. You can find the required form at the www.volgjezorg.nl. With this form you can withdraw permission for all healthcare providers you previously gave permission in one go.

8. What are the objections to the LSP?

Many people think that their medical data is stored in the LSP and that that information can be viewed by everyone. But your medical information is only stored in the computers of your GP and pharmacy. The LSP only mentions your citizen service number and which GP and pharmacy have information about you. The network then connects the computers of healthcare providers and makes it possible for doctors and pharmacists to see the data.

9. Why do you often hear critical voices about the LSP?

Medical data is privacy sensitive. Such a network can be an interesting target for hackers. There is also a fear that health insurers will still gain access to patients’ medical data via the network – and subsequently ban patients from insurance. Others feel that an unnecessary amount of private information becomes available. The Association of Healthcare Providers for Healthcare Communication believes that privacy is sufficiently guaranteed. This association manages the LSP and is formed by the umbrella organizations of general practitioners (LHV), outpatient services (Ineen), pharmacies (KNMP) and hospitals (NVZ).

10. Can I check who has viewed my file?

Yes. Through www.volgjezorg.nl you can request an inspection overview. It states which healthcare providers have your data available and who has requested it.