What is the primary aim of the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988?

The primary aim of the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 is to empower patients by allowing them to access and review their medical reports before those reports are released to third parties, such as insurers or employers. This legislation was introduced to ensure that patients have transparency regarding their medical information, promoting both patient rights and informed consent. It allows individuals to understand the content of their reports and to challenge any inaccuracies they may find, thereby enhancing their autonomy over personal health information.

The act does not primarily focus on privacy protections as an isolated measure, nor does it address the electronic sharing of medical records or standardization of billing procedures, which are relevant issues but serve different objectives. Therefore, while privacy and security are important aspects of handling medical data, the central feature of this legislation is the patients' right to access and review their medical reports.