can my mum see her hospital notes whilst on the ward?

[hospitalstay]

My mum is in hospital and wanted to see her ward notes for example to see what pain killers she is on and how her leg injuries (which occurred since arrival on the ward) had been logged. She has been told she is not allowed to look until after she is discharged via a 40 day turnaround request. Does anyone know if this is correct? Surely there should be paperwork she can sign to enable her to look whilst on the ward if she is certified as of sound mind (which she certainly is). Thanks

Why would you do that ?

i don’t think staff are doing it for fun, it’s the law ! Then you come along and think you are entitled to do whatever you like to hell with everyone else. Exactly as our government does and is so heavily criticised for.

The UK is falling apart

Would echo others , they leave it around all the time that’s when I’ve always had a look.

This hints at it but isn't explicit

www.patients-association.org.uk/seeing-your-medical-records

Icedlatte - This is what I had understood. Did they agree for you to view? Those saying they could log sensitive information they dont want seen but the same applies when you access it via SARS and get paper copies of it. How do other countries manage it? Surely there could be a private tab on computer records for logging safeguarding concerns that are not for patient or a childs parents to see but would still have the benefit of everything else being seen.

Possibly the patient was acting entirely legally?

The medical staff less so.

The UK is falling apart yes, but I don’t think people taking photos of their own medical records are the cause.

Dente - the poster explained why she looked at the notes as there would be a delayed reaction to a drug they shouldnt have been given. Anyone would do the same to safeguard their family member. People only want to see notes as they know nhs is far too stretched so mistakes will be made and they want to make sure right dosage of right meds are given and allergies logged etc not to try to catch anyone out just to ensure they or their family get correct safe care and survive. It is the governments fault for the fact people are getting too hospital too late and there is not enough staff for adequate care. however focus shouldnt be on cover up/restricted access to notes.

No. But then they knew the paper i asked for didnt exist. It ended up as being used as evidence of a failure to provide care within an Educational tribunal

But medical staff often don't like me very much. I have a habit or telling them they are wrong and then going out and proving it. It is amazing how often medical Professionals get stuff wrong

So in my case I didn't actually go after the staff member directly because I had bigger fish to fry

Aren’t they on the end of her bed? Can’t she just look?

as now she cant see if they are logging obs 🙄

I find that rather odd. Can your mum not just ask the doctor what she wants to know during the ward round?

Can your mum not just ask the doctor what she wants to know during the ward round?

Also what does your Mum say the Doctors have told her ? she should have been seen several times since admission if she has been in three weeks ?

Interesting. Hope you get the answers you are looking for OP.

no they are keeping the paperwork for obs on nurses desk not in ward now (for her only and only since the injury). Mum has not realized she has spoken to a doctor (if she has). The ones i have seen around she would not realize are doctors as look about 18, (obviously not but from her perspective and nothing in appearance to suggest they are doctors - to someone elderly). She feels vulnerable and is not going to ask if they have logged her injury accidentally caused by staff as self inflicted. she doesnt want to get anyone in trouble

Why can't see your own notes? I am baffled.

we always looked at parents' folders but noticed there was no folder for the two latest admissions.

You can speak to PALs at the hospital and they will provide some help and support.

There is a formal process about viewing your own notes called the Subject Access Request

The 40 day limit mention relates to an old limit. A month is now the maximum time in which the organisation should comply. However it can be quicker or longer depending on volume and complexity.

Generally notes are reviewed by relevant clinician before release to the patient which is why it's not instant. This is to ensure they are the correct notes and don't include any references to other parties apart from those involved in your care.

You can reduce the time it will take by limiting your request to cover this stay at hospital rather than previous periods.

However in your situation I'd start with PALs

The end-of-bed-documents aren't "the notes". Her injury won't be documented there, it will be in the nursing notes and medical notes (if she saw a doctor about it). The end-of-bed stuff is usually things like the obs chart, fluid balance chart, drug Kardex. If you want to know anything about her medical condition or treatment, then she does need to speak to a doctor, who can then check her medical notes. If she wants to physically see her medical notes, then she should put in a formal request.

if anything is left at the end of the bed its obviously not being kept confidentially is it, it could be accessed by another patient or visitor so I don't know why the ward staff are becoming antsy about this?(i'm fully aware its part of the patient record as an ex-hcp and am interested in the differing responses of peoples working in hospitals responding to this) I hate to say it but is your mum starting to be perceived by ward staff in a negative way? I'd advise you/your mum putting a note for the Dr in writing when you next visit and say that you are not happy with the level of information being provided and need some questions answering. If its in writing they are more likely to give you a response. p.s. not dissing hospital staff, this is exactly the sort of situation that arises when wards are too short staffed.

Mum has not realized she has spoken to a doctor (if she has). The ones i have seen around she would not realize are doctors as look about 18, (obviously not but from her perspective and nothing in appearance to suggest they are doctors - to someone elderly)

They really should be introducing themselves, so she is under no illusion as to who they are ! On the ward rounds there will usually be more than one Doctor, so the Consultant and someone else from the team, plus often a senior nurse. When you go in to visit ask when was the last time she saw the Consultant and how often they do a ward round.

And again ask to speak to the ward manager, they will be able to tell you how the accident/injury has been logged.

It’s not access to the medical records; but one hospital we deal with, let’s us access online all appointment times past and present, clinic letters and test results. It covers most of what we want to know!

Certainly, I find test results are requested by consultants down the years; and it’s much better for continuity of care, to have a copy myself to give them, rather than it be a blank in the history, because it was three hospitals ago!

People really are so ignorant and entitled. It goes hand in hand these days

That would be you! What a rude post. Regardless of the facts about notes. Did nobody ever explain partnership working with patients to you? The nhs has moved on from these attitudes.

I agree it's best for her to speak with a doctor.

Why does your Mum think they would log it differently to how it happened ?

BIrma because they did not tell me or my sisters that she had been injured and was awaiting an xray. surely if there was open communication that would be worthy of mentioning as it happened whilst in hospital and an incident form should have been completed. If it happened as mum says then we should certainly have been told. If it didnt then they should be saying mum is confused (or lying)!