I just wondered if anyone knows if a persons medical records are kept from birth onwards. For instance, if i wanted to check say a visit to the doctor or hospital in 1975 is that possible, and would i be able to view that information. I would appreciate any information on this subject, thanks.

Your GP should have your records, give your GP a ring

in theory every visit you have made to the doctors will be recorded so ask your gp for your medical record I dont think they can refuse

Not sure if a lifetimes records are kept normaly, but i do know that my dr does not have my early history only history since i started to use that practice :suspect:

You have the right to obtain your medical record at any time to view what has been recorded. However, I doubt you would able to walk into your surgery and request to view them at that moment so it would be best to call in advance.

I think records are only obliged to be kept for 7 years. I don't know if that applies to medical records though.
However, I've seen patient's hospital notes with a sticker on the front saying 'previous case notes have been destroyed'
You can but ask!

However, I've seen patient's hospital notes with a sticker on the front saying 'previous case notes have been destroyed'


This can happen; there are fires, floods, vandalism, things get lost while being moved .... but I don't think anyone is ever allowed to destroy them deliberately. Someone, somewhere, should still have a record of the time I was seen for mumps in 1975.

you can elect to look at your medical records, as like people have said, they are about you, but at the hospital, RHH anyway, you have to make an appointment to meet with an adminisrator who will go through them with you. I am unsure of how you initiate this tho.

I should think that yr GP would keep records but hospitals can destroy after I thik 7-15 yrs. I'm not sure if its different for birth records.
if you want to look at your hospital records you should contact the hospital, either via the Consultants secretary if they are still there or if its the Royal Hallamshire via the PALS department. You could try the admin department in most hospitals, they will be able to point you in the right direction.

you will need to makre an appointment to view them in the presence of a medically qualified person.

Good luck. I hope you find what you are looking for

It's all supposed to have become easier since the 1998 access to medical records type act was passed. You still need to 'apply' to see them and there is likely to be a discretionary admi'n charge made.

If there was no recorded entry into your notes in the 8 years since the last entry (it used to be 8 years although that could have changed) then there's a hUge chance your notes will have been incinerated.

Edited to add Gov't webby Access to records webby (http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/InformationPolicy/PatientConfidentialityAndCaldicottGuardians/AccessHealthRecordsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4084411&chk=wsrEF9) :thumbsup:

This all sounds rather odd. Surely they keep some records.

What if you're allergic to a drug they tried when you were little, or a treatment used before was changed as ineffective- would they start off anew?:confused:

You have the personal responsibility (and indeed accountability) for yourself to tell your family, next of kin & future health care professionals this information.

You have the personal responsibility (and indeed accountability) for yourself to tell your family, next of kin & future health care professionals this information.

But I have no idea what my medical history for my first 6 years or so was...:confused:

Surely your parents or guardian will have been told of any treatments you had that were ineffective, or had adverse effects? Surely they must have consented to drugs administered or procedures performed?
Did they not pass this info down?

If not why not? - I know about my health needs, as do everyone I can call personal friends & relations. :shocked:

Surely your parents or guardian will have been told of any treatments you had that were ineffective, or had adverse effects? Surely they must have consented to drugs administered or procedures performed?
Did they not pass this info down?

If not why not? - I know about my health needs, as do everyone I can call personal friends & relations. :shocked:

We-e-e-l-l, probably there was nothing important........:(

We-e-e-l-l, probably there was nothing important........:(

:o :o :o :o :o :o maybe they let experimentation happen & never told you!?

;) ;) ;)

This all sounds rather odd. Surely they keep some records.

What if you're allergic to a drug they tried when you were little, or a treatment used before was changed as ineffective- would they start off anew?:confused:

That sort of information is in your regular medical records, which SHOULD never be destroyed (although, as I said above, accidents can happen.)

Hospital records may be different. Anything the hospital found out that was considered long-term important would be made known to your GP to add to your regular records. Hospital treatment for, say, a broken arm, is highly unlikely to be important after some years have passed.

No seriously, it is worth asking your nearest & dearest if there's anything you need to know about your health past.

Even down to "did I get my boosters when I should have?" - I say this cos my Mum would let me have the week off school when they were giving out shots as she didn't believe in them.

Hence I left school at 19 (ish) never having had a TB or tetanus booster.

I have been an in patient alot over the past few years on a specialist ward and a few months ago whilst having a l;ong stay in hospital i asked my nurse if i could have a look at my file as she had it in her hand and she told me that i had to write for permission to view it!
Well to be polite i was absolutely shocked and disgusted that I have to ask permission to view MY OWN medical notes!
What infuriates me the most is that people who are not actual medical experts can quite easily read my notes (ie the admin) yet i have to write off for permission!!
I am still furious about it to this day!! :rant:
Sorry rant over!!

Anyway to answer your question they should be kept from birth onwards as once i read my sisters when she was in hospital and there was info in there from birth.

No seriously, it is worth asking your nearest & dearest if there's anything you need to know about your health past.

Even down to "did I get my boosters when I should have?" - I say this cos my Mum would let me have the week off school when they were giving out shots as she didn't believe in them.

Hence I left school at 19 (ish) never having had a TB or tetanus booster.

Well, I was bright yellow coloured when I was born :o and spent the first 3 or 4 years being medicated I think.

Since then though I'm never ill apart from occasional colds.

I've had loads of tetanus shots mind, I'm probably developing my own immunity by now.:)

Well, I was bright yellow coloured when I was born :o and spent the first 3 or 4 years being medicated I think.

Since then though I'm never ill apart from occasional colds.

I've had loads of tetanus shots mind, I'm probably developing my own immunity by now.:)

Were you born prematurely?

Prem babies often have jaundice - these days they have vitamin & iron supplements & UV therapy to disperse it :)

Were you born prematurely?

Prem babies often have jaundice - these days they have vitamin & iron supplements & UV therapy to disperse it :)


Possibly so: lot's of people seem to think I was born yesterday!:suspect:

Possibly so: lot's of people seem to think I was born yesterday!:suspect:

Awww bless - hey wanna buy a Playstation 1?

It's the latest technollogy... :thumbsup:

Awww bless - hey wanna buy a Playstation 1?

It's the latest technollogy... :thumbsup:

I'm too young!:(