Let down again

Hi Nikki

You have had most of the advice already.

You have an absolute right to see your records, for free, within 42 days of seeing an NHS professional. It is buried in the NHS Charter somewhere - I have a copy on file and I will look up the reference, promise.

Since everything is now held on computer, you should be able to ask for a copy to be put on a memory stick. This will do you no good, as you probably will not have a program to read them.

What you should note is that letters may be attached to the records as separate items - so you may have to ask to be shown any letters between your GP and any consultant (either way). It does not have to be a GP with you looking at the files - anyone who is authorised to access a surgery computer can be with you (just to make sure that you do not try to get at someone else’s records). Having said that, every specialist (Neuro, Nurse, whatever) should write to your GP with a short statement about your consultation. You are supposed to get a copy of this. For me, this would mean that the first thing I would want to check would be that
a - the letters had been written.
b - they were on the GP records.
c - that I had copies of all letters that had been written about me.

If all those bits are there, then there is probably the basis for some trust on your part. If there are some letters missing, then you have a new decision to make.

Geoff