We seem to be copying records 1-2 x weekly for solicitors. Until
recently we charged £10.00 plus photocopying charges 31p per side.
However the medical record act 1990 only relates to records after
November 1st 1991.
As far as I can tell It does not apply to records held on computer.
Therefore I contend that we can charge
£10.00 for records after November 1st 1991, plus an
additional
£'a reasonable fee' for records prior to 1991 (I have
suggested £10.00), plus
Photocopying charges 31p per side for the above, plus
£10.00 for access to Computer held records (Ref 1984 Data
Protection Act)
i.e.. 30£ plus copying charges in total
I sent an account structured in this way to a solicitor recently who
refused to pay anything more than £10.00 plus 31p per side copying
charges. I backed down as life is too short and I was basically
"testing the water" . However I still feel I probably am legally
entitled to charge these fee's. Then again perhaps I am wrong,
*yet again*?!
Does anybody have any comments?
Particularly Lurking Legal Eagles?
Roger Leary. GP, Esher, Surrey
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|