Am I Entiltled To See My Notes That Are Made While I Am In Hospital ?

[bodeker]

I was in hospital several times in the months May, June got home and a few weeks later back in hospital .
For 2 weeks of May I have no recollection of being in hospital other than being told I had contracted Covid while in hospital . I also had lung problem and and a heart problem so had a lot going on . Now I can think clearer I would like to know what was happerning to me . Do I have a right to know ? Can I see my records?

[bednobs]

yes

[bednobs]

https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/how-can-we-help/how-do-i-get-a-copy-of-my-health-medical-records/

[gness]

Yes, phone and ask for them to be sent to you. You'll be sent or emailed a form to fill in including the dates you want them to start and finish. There is also some data protection waffle.
If you live in the UK and were in hospital in the UK you'll be fine.

[bodeker]

Thank you to you both , bednobs and gness.

[gness]

Welcome. I only know a lot about it now because after I'd jumped through all their hoops they said....Oh we won't post these to Ireland! I had to be devious to get mine.... ;-)

Hope you're well and fit now.

[Paigntonian]

Yes, but it's often easier to ask your GP to give you the notes. Also, sometimes a GP might ask for a fee (usually around £15).

[ParsleyDumpling]

GPs no longer charge for copies of your notes. You could always ask the receptionist for a copy of your discharge summary, no need to speak to a GP.

[gness]

From my recent experience since moving, Bodeker, the notes from the GP won't be quite as extensive as the ones from the hospital. I have now seen both.

[ParsleyDumpling]

A discharge summary is produced by the hospital and sent to your GP after your discharge (obviously). It should at least give some insight into your stay in hospital and will also state if any of your medication needs to be changed or stopped. There may also be instructions for the GP such as any blood tests or further monitoring that needs to be undertaken. At the very least it should give you a starting point to understand your stay in hospital. It probably won't take as long to get the information either.

[bodeker]

Thanks again for all the answers I received to my question .

[bodeker]

To Parsleydumpling, can I ask when you say patient discharge summary I take it that is what they give you when you leave hospital and a copy is sent to your doctor. I thought that a more detailed report would be kept by the hospital because the copy given to me when I left was very technical, a lot of medical jargon and I was not any the wiser. If this is what they send out to you it would be a waste of time .

[barry1010]

Your medical records are going to be 'technical' with medical terms and abbreviations (they love abbreviations!) that the lay person will not understand.
If possible make an appointment with your GP to have it all explained or ask our resident medical expert Sqad if he will kindly interpret your discharge summary - you need to post it on AB.

[ParsleyDumpling]

Yes, bodeker, your GP will receive a copy. As Barry wrote the wording will be technical (well medical really). You can always ask for a GP telecon to discuss it.

[Peter Pedant]

yes
they may ask you to write to the Data controller of the Hospital, but they should NOT ask you to fill out a pink form of 10 pages and then say if you dont, you cant have the notes ( as BritRail did to me)

they have to do it with in time frame ( 30d poss)

easy
you can do that for outpatients - ask a clerk or a doctor for a copy.
[the clerk at the eye hospital OP unwisely said to me - "I have no idea what you are talking about". The CEO told her. She does now.]

they can charge but it is limited ( not expensive)

you can write, or email, I wdnt phone ( no record)

[Peter Pedant]

it is all governed by law
they MUST send you the gobbde-gook. They are not obliged to translate it.
Copy it out and Sqad will translate for you

[Peter Pedant]

Patient notes will be more detailed than the discharge letter.
You are entitled to both ( but not an explanation of what it means)

[bodeker]

Thank you all.