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How long should medical records be kept fro?

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  • 11-10-2011 12:18pm
    #1
    jakey4000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12 ✭


    Does anyone have any idea how long medical records should be stored? Are there even any rules about this or is it completely up to the doctor?

    I've been trying to helping my sister to get copies of her old records form a few different places and it's been really frustrating. We've had zero luck.:mad:


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    #2
    TheyKnowMyIP
    Closed Accounts Posts: 568 ✭✭✭TheyKnowMyIP


    Forever. Like a criminal record. Trying to fish them out is another story.


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    #3
    jakey4000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12 ✭jakey4000


    TheyKnowMyIP wrote: »
    Forever. Like a criminal record. Trying to fish them out is another story.

    Thanks. Is there any legislation behind how long they should be stored? One place say they only keep them for 5 years, another for 7.


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    #4
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Forever.

    I was able to retrieve mine from 2 different hospitals for procedures that occured over 20 years ago a while back.

    In both cases I phoned the hospitals, got the relevant person to address a written request to, wrote requesting the info (I had to get my hospital number looked up for one of them - but name and dob should suffice), and was contacted back with the info - and a small admin fee in one case (think it was a fiver). I think one place posted them to me, the other place I went up myself to collect them.

    If its a GP or consultants practice then just write to them directly requesting the info.


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    #5
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    This might be a useful link for you.


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    #6
    jakey4000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12 ✭jakey4000


    Is there any action you can take if your records have been thrown out after 5 (or 7) years?


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