I am sick to the core. I have just found out that a NHS Trust has destroyed my medical notes. They said they were over 8yrs old and they have been destroyed. Can they do this legally? I am furious.
Medical notes: I am sick to the core. I... - Pernicious Anaemi...
Medical notes
Written by
lesbud1
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28 Replies
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I believe that NHS paper records should be kept for 10 years after death . Electronic records should not be deleted or destroyed for the foreseeable future . I think you have a genuine cause for complaint . Best check first though .
So would I be. I thought they would at least precise notes electronically to put on whatever elecyronic system they use. I thought they had to archive notes for alot longer than that. I would write to the trusts manager to find our what exactly the policy is.
I was suprised my blood group wasn't on my notes so I expect notes have been destroyed. Certainly the present Gp didnt know when I asked??
How did you find out?
I emailed the hospital and they sent me the forms. I had to return 4 pages 2 utility bills and a copy of my passport and then they emailed me saying that as they were over 8yrs old they had destroyed them. I am sick with anger.
So would I be . So nothing kept dates of significant illnesses or drugs you've had. Allergies?? I'm shocked nothing was kept
So am I. what if I wanted to challenge a treatment they gave me? and I can't remember all the drugs I had for acne and radiotherapy iodine for my thyroid and carbimazole. I am so CROSS. My advise to all would be to get your records before this happens to you.
they have emailed me to say they can do this legally so I replied by saying that I have just read the BMA's guidelines and they say this can be done but I think this is a despicable act and I wonder how many local people know that their local hospital destroys their notes after 8 yrs.
Blood group info isnt with the GP.Should be on your birth notes in hospital
Oh okay. Do you mean myou birth or if or when I gave birth?
When you was born they make up hospital records and that is where you find blood group. It is a pain to find out though x
Access to birth blood typing became very difficult a few decades ago because of the number of children born with "impossible" blood types.
Ie:- it showed that the supposed father could not possibly be the biological father of the child.
Since then; it has become very difficult even for adults to get a copy of their own record.
I have my paper medical notes dating back to the 1980's including the midwife's notes from my birth. No record of blood type appears anywhere on them.
Oh okay. I expect it is. The hospital doesn't exist anymore and I was born at home and delivered by Gp (well mum really) that's why I thought gp records. I should've donated blood when I was well. You know then!
Hi,
Sorry to hear this and thank you for drawing the forum's attention to this issue.
If you're in UK, perhaps your MP would be interested in this issue?
parliament.uk/mps-lords-and...
CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau)
NHS Complaints
citizensadvice.org.uk/healt...
BMA link about retention of medical records
bma.org.uk/advice/employmen...
NHS Digital
digital.nhs.uk/data-and-inf...
"they emailed me saying that as they were over 8yrs old they had destroyed them."
I'd suggest printing off copies of any e-mails like this in case of future complaint.
Having a paper copy means a back up in case you accidently delete anything.
I suggest an internet search with "patient records (name of NHS trust )" to try to find that trust's policy on records retention. Then check if they are sticking to their own policy.
NHS trusts in England
nhs.uk/servicedirectories/p...
NHS trusts and Local health Boards in Wales
wales.nhs.uk/nhswalesaboutu...
NHS Boards in Scotland
If you cannot track down the policy in your area, you could try submitting a FOI (Freedom of Information) request to the trust asking for a copy of the trust's policy on retention of records. Search for "Freedom of Information ( name of NHS trust)"
thanks. I have emailed my MP and the local MP for the hospital where this has happened. The trust has told me that their policy is to destroy medical note once 8yrs without contact has passed. I am still dumbfounded at this act. I was always led to believe that medical notes were legal documents.
To destroy notes legally you have to have been dead for 25 years. Maybe they archived them but shouldn't so soon
No its much less time than that about 10 years after death. Notes unfortunately are destroyed.
Nope. they are within their rights to destroy them without sending a copy to archives or letting pts know. They just told me it is their policy to destroy medical notes after 8yrs of no contact with them and there is no where I can obtain a copy as they did not save one.
Have you checked if the pertinent information was copied to your GP? At least some of the letters and reports you need could be in your GP'S paper files.
Electronic records are kept ?? I think if you are in the cross over records should be kept until after your death. Then eventually everyones will be electronic. I'm unhappy about this too. When I was at work we always had a skeletal paper back up. Electronic systems crash. If this happens it seems medics are put to a stand still. Very worrying . It's like computers are relied upon to worl out what drugs csn be given together. Stops people thinking. It went wrong for me. But 'the screen' said okay. My body said different. ! Being totally reliant u think a mistake as aksi speeds uo process si no pause to look or actually examine simeone
GPs notes are kept for a long time after death. Hospital notes can be destroyed according to the BMA after 8yrs of no contact with them. I am sure the public are unaware of this. it is a scandal. Medical notes are legal documents so why are trusts allowed to wipe out all this information without any comeback? Doctors seem to be a law among themselves. I am not sure how to start a campaign but I want to.
Whilst I can sympathise with your anguish and anger lesbud1 I think it is something you are going to have to put behind you and get over. No matter how much fuss you create if those records have been destroyed, either physically or electronically then that is irrevocable. You are perhaps forgetting there is a record and it is kept by the worlds leading expert on the subject; you have a recollection of what will have happened to you over the years and some idea of medications, so you can create a record, albeit not complete, but complete enough to be able to fill in many of the gaps.
This business of medical records can be a real bind as it is seldom any of our records are actually complete. 10 years ago I had a Nissen fundoplication which involves wrapping the top or the stomach around the bottom of the oesophagus to reinforce the sphincter and prevent reflux. I don't know if something called a LINKA was used and it seems the only record of that is at the hospital where the operation was performed. Without positive proof that they didn't use that device, whatever it is, I cannot have a MRI examination as if there is one it would be extremely dangerous, so I am told. Even when there are records they are pointless if the physician doesn't read them fully and makes a diagnosis without all the relevant facts, as one of ours did some years ago and convinced himself I had Multiple Schlerosis when it was actually the long term effect of a neck injury in a road accident and noted on my records. There have been several other instances over the years as well.
You do know what has happened to you as you have mentioned things in your post. So as the Worlds Leading Expert it looks as if you need to make a list of your medical history for the benefit of the hamfisted records department. Just think, you now have a marvelous weapon for reminding the profession of their short comings in the future, the conversation could be, 'If my records hadn't been lost ....'.
I am beginning to envy you.
lesbud1• in reply to
so sorry to hear of all your troubles. I still feel that most people do not know that their notes can be destroyed or have been. I believe that if the public knew there would be an outcry so I have started a petition to highlight this scandal.
Not sure if this is any good ? Any hospital visits, the reason and results are written in a letter to your doctor, including say blood test results. The main problem is that they will not admit, that the doctor does not read letters from hospitals. So, you are entitled to ask the Manager, at your doctors, for an appointment to view your files. We, patients, for at least 3 to 4 years, now get copy letters that are sent to doctors. I am a regular 30 year visitor to 4 hospitals, so far.
bdole2018• in reply to
Knowing your medical history is not much good when you need evidence for some process or application. If it has not been written by a medical professional at the time; it will likely be held as inadmissible.
You also suppose everyone has a perfect memory of every drug and procedure that could affect them later and need to be recalled. Simple fact is most people don't.
Better something bdole2018 than nothing
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