Local councils, insurance companies, company doctors and other official bodies often ask people to supply copies of their medical records even though this is not allowed in law, family doctors warned on Friday.

The family doctors association LHV, which represents 11,000 doctors and trainees, carried out a small survey among its members and found 94% are asked by patients at least once a year for their records.

The most common reason given is that another organisation wants to see it, the LHV said. Changing doctors and a personal wish to read the file were other reasons given by patients.

‘We have heard for some time that patients are being put under pressure to had over their records but it has really surprised us that it is so widespread,’ LHV board member Carin Littooij said. Doctors who doubt the reason for the request should first discuss this with the patient, she said.