Access to letters sent by the hospital & cardiologist to my doctor

[jon22]

My sister in law is a pharmacist and she comes in very useful for explaining the drugs I am on, interactions etc. However she never gives me advice on doses etc, preferring to leave this to the hospitals(nurse, consultant, doctor), cardiologist and my doctor. I have had instances when the local hospital nurse says one thing and the doctor overrides the advice which leaves me confused but as I dont have access to the letters sent to my doctor I am a little in the dark and covid telephone appointments dont help as my doctor does not always have enough time.

What I would like is all letters to to come to me as well as my doctor. Is this possible please?

Thank you.

[jon22]

Thanks for this. I do receive appointment letters but not the results of my consultations (other than by asking my doctor for a telephone appointment). eg I had my liver scan 3 weeks ago and I requested an appointment with my doctor and was given one two weeks into the future. So about 5 weeks elapsed time when the letter I could have received after a week. Hence I am trying to get information 4 weeks earlier. Its so frustrating.

[Qualipop in reply to jon22]

Every time I see a consultant I ask specifically for a copy of their report to be sent to me. It doesn't always happen but then I ring their secretary and ask for one.

[jon22 in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks for this. I called my local hospital (Burton) to get a copy of my report. They said that they dont send copies of the report to me only to the person requesting it. If I wanted a copy I would have to contact the medical records department.

This seems a very long winded process designed to put patients off pursuing access?

[Qualipop in reply to jon22]

Yes you can get copies of your records at any time; there may be a charge depending on how much there is. I got mine last year but only certain depts and dates because I needed something from 1989 but that's no use for getting information early or quickly. You need to ask each specific consultant to send a copy to you as well as your gp. I've never had a problem; they just make a note to CC me.

[jon22]

Many thanks for the information. I will ask my local hospital.

[JennyRx]

I get copies of all my consultations - all on grey recycled paper! So I have a huge folder now. I didn’t know this wasn’t routine practice. In fact some of the letters are addressed directly to me and the GP sent a copy of my letter.

[jon22]

Thanks for all your responses to date. I did contact my local hospital records dept and they responded to say please provide :

1. One photographic ID such as passport or driving license.

2. One proof of address letter – such as a bank statement utility bill, which shows your name and address and is dated in the last three months.

3. Confirmation that you have had the results of your ultrasound discussed with you.

4. Do you want both the X-ray report and the images?

All I wanted was a copy of my letter sent to me at the same time as it was sent to my doctor.

My ultrasound scan was the 11th February 2021 so is now nearly 4 weeks ago and I still have not had any information on the results.

Is this normal?

Thank you.