Medical Records

shopaholic2

Just a quickie
can anyone tell me, on average, how long it takes for a hospital to send you medical records after you have requested them?
I've filled in the fomrs etc, and had a letter confirming they are dealing with it, but it must be 6 weeks or more since i asked for them
Will ring Monday to enquire, but in the mean time, any ideas how long i could be waiting?
Ta

ciderwithrosie_2

In theory it shouldn't take as long as 6 weeks, but it would depend on how many requests they'd had, where you are on the list so to speak. Besides patients requesting copies of records they have requests to copy ones from solicitors and coroners too. They have to be copied by hand, one page at a time, so if you have lots of notes (some folk can have 3 or 4 volumes) they could take a while.
I'd definitely give them a ring though and find out what's happening.

suki1964

It can also depend on how active a patient you are. If you are seeing numerous departments each consultant has to be approached for permission for your notes to be copied and sent on. The health trust I worked for this was also a headache as different services were held on different sites. And of course if you are being seen regularly right now - your notes are always being taken back from Records for clinics.

But yes give them a ring and chase them up

honey06

the time limit is 40 days from the request by law, so if it has been 6 weeks you're entitled to make a formal complaint

suki1964

honey06 wrote: »

the time limit is 40 days from the request by law, so if it has been 6 weeks you're entitled to make a formal complaint

Thats 40 working days - 8 weeks not counting bank holidays

honey06

suki1964 wrote: »

Thats 40 working days - 8 weeks not counting bank holidays

no, its 40 calendar days

see p32
http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/official_information/~/media/documents/library/Corporate/Introductory/upholding_information_rights_for_all.ashx

although i think guidelines for the NHS say it should be within 21 days

brook2jack

There is an exception to this where disclosure of medical health records would cause possible harm to the patient ie certain mental health issues or where information is contained about a third party.

The other permissible reason for delay is where it is difficult,time consuming or expensive to duplicate records eg duplicating old wet film xrays, duplicating discs of ct or MRI scans etc.

shopaholic2

Rang today to query this, and they say they are still waiting for the consultants permission to release my notes....Why?? There's nothing in there that would cause me mental distress ( well i doubt there is) its all pretty straight forward, the date i originally requested them was June 13th!

Guess it's just a waiting game

Elle7

Consultants can sometimes leave comments on their records which they might not want you to see. Potential diagnosis, thoughts, etc. My sister's consultant allowed us to see hers, eventually, and he'd made notes on her mentality at the time, and things he thought could be potentially wrong - he said usually these are removed before you get to see your notes.

I hope you get them soon.

pmduk

I just wish the NHS could get consultants out of the mentality that they are Gods.

[Deleted User]

shopaholic2 wrote: »

Just a quickie
can anyone tell me, on average, how long it takes for a hospital to send you medical records after you have requested them?
I've filled in the fomrs etc, and had a letter confirming they are dealing with it, but it must be 6 weeks or more since i asked for them
Will ring Monday to enquire, but in the mean time, any ideas how long i could be waiting?
Ta

In Scotland a relative of mine received hers (completely free of charge) in under two weeks from when she first enquired. They came by Recorded Delivery and the whole process was smooth and very thorough. I think she was told that it could take up to a month.