Hospital Notes

[soobet]

My 83 year old mother is in hospital and she is unable to speak too well due to strokes (therefore for me to find out how her day has been it is often easier to read her notes). She fell and broke her hip a few weeks ago but has since the operation suffered from some sort of chest infection and irregular heart beat. She is not eating and drinking as she should. Every night I go to visit her and read the notes at the end of her bed, she is fully aware of this and has no problem. However some of the nurses there seem to think that I have no right to look at them and have on one occasion snatched them from me and said that they are confidential. What is correct here and what are my rights?

[Taran]

When my daughter goes into hospital and if the notes are at the end of the bed , i always read them. No one has ever told me that i couldnt ,If they were that confidential they shouldn`t be left at the end of a patients bed where all and sundry can read them

[bednobs]

if you want to read hospital notes, you can, but you have to apply to see them

[deauville]

Stricly speaking, the nurses are correct. They are not your notes but your Mother's. However, if you're mother gives you her consent then there should be no problem. All patients have a right to see their notes, including electronic ones, and those held by their GPs, and if you wish you can apply under the Access to Medical Records Act, there may however be a charge for photocopies.

[weas]

how very unkind of those nurses ,power hey!!!
if you are your mothers kin you can . speak to the ward manager tell her you need a daily update on your mother and you will be readind the notes. tell her about the unkind manner in which you are treated .

your mother has the right to be spoken for ,it is her right!! as she cannot speak for herself , we all must speak up for the elderly it is are duty. i have fought this corner for a long time . go make some noise !!

[lafrancaise]

After reading through my father's notes when he was in hospital I tell everyone who goes into hospital to check them over. Nurses/doctors have a problem with their right and left sometimes!!!!

[alijangra]

From a nurses point of view, I would say that if the notes are at the end of the bed and your mother has given permission for you to read them then there should not be a problem. Please try and remember that the nurses act as the patients advocate and as your mother has speech difficulties it is not so cut and dried to ascertain her consent for you to read the notes. Nurses do not know family histories and backgrounds, quite often there are bickering families trying to get one up on each other. Your mother is in a vulnerable position and they should be trying to protect her rights and interests. I would request to speak to the nurse in charge, and if that doesnt help take it further and request the ward manager so that steps can be taken for all staff to be aware that you do actually have your mothers express permission to read her notes.