Can you record your doctor in the UK? A clear guide to your rights

But is it actually legal to record a doctor's visit in the UK? And what’s the right way to do it without breaching anyone’s privacy?

Here’s what the law and medical bodies say, and how to approach it in a way that builds trust rather than tension.

1. Yes, you can legally record your own medical appointment

In the UK, there’s no law that prevents a patient from recording a conversation they are part of. That includes doctors’ appointments.

Under the Data Protection Act 2018, recordings made for personal use are exempt from data protection rules. In other words, you can legally record your consultation for your own reference, even without your doctor’s permission.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s always wise to do it secretly.

2. What official guidance says, and why openness matters

Healthcare relies on trust, and how you record matters just as much as whether you can. The British Medical Association (BMA) explicitly advises doctors to take an open, supportive approach:

“We encourage doctors to support patient requests to record their consultations. The desire to make an audio or video recording of a consultation does not in itself indicate a lack of trust.”¹

The BMA goes on to explain that while covert recording is not unlawful, it can harm the doctor-patient relationship. Patients are therefore encouraged to be transparent and explain why they wish to record.

Most NHS organisations echo this position. They recommend telling your doctor in advance, keeping the recording private, and using it only to help recall medical advice or share it with close family or carers.

The BMA guidance also clarifies that:

Patients are legally entitled to record consultations for personal use.
Doctors should not refuse a recording purely because they feel uncomfortable, but they may stop an appointment if a recording becomes unsafe or disruptive.
Recordings form part of the medical record only if both parties agree to store or share them formally.

In practice, a simple explanation, such as wanting to remember instructions accurately or update a family member, is usually welcomed. Doctors are used to it and, in many cases, appreciate the effort patients make to stay informed.

3. What to avoid

If you decide to record, a few simple steps keep you on the right side of the law and etiquette:

• Don’t publish or share the recording publicly (for example, on social media). That would likely breach data protection law and your clinician’s privacy rights.
• Don’t record anyone else in the clinic without their consent.
• Don’t edit clips out of context, it can misrepresent what was said.

Treat your recording like any other piece of health information: private, secure, and personal.

4. Alternatives to recording

If you’re worried about remembering details but don’t feel comfortable recording, there are other options:

• Ask your doctor to summarise key points at the end of the appointment.
• Take brief notes during or immediately afterwards.
• Bring someone with you to listen in.
• Use a digital tool that securely captures and summarises health conversations.

Tools like Mirror are designed specifically for this purpose, helping patients accurately remember and share advice with their family, without storing or sharing private audio files.

In summary

You’re legally allowed to record your doctor in the UK for personal use. Still, the best approach is open and collaborative, explain why you’d like to record, respect privacy boundaries, and use the recording responsibly. It should strengthen communication, not replace trust.