NHS medical records app - shocked by what I've seen

[InShockAndWorried]

So I've been delving into historic documents on my nhs medical records app

Filed away dated in 2016 is an urgent gynae cancer 2 week referral letter - my name address phone number are is on the form but none of the reasons for referral had been ticked

IM IN SHOCK I know absolutely nothing about this! I'm wracking my brains and honestly am sure I'd remember something like this - there aren't any corresponding appointments detail records noted around that time on my app records.

I'm somewhat panicking - wtaf!!

It's most likely someone else's or a mistake.

Agree with the above.

Might sound strange but this is why I've not made the effort to get my records. Too scared to see something wrong on there that would really annoy me

It's probably for another patient and they've stuck it on your record by mistake. Happens all the time apparently.

It doesn't sound like it's someone else's, if it's got OP's details on. It was probably some computer thing that got automatically half-completed because of an accidental click, if nothing else has been filled in and there's nothing you can remember that it might relate to. I think it can be a hassle to remove things from medical records even if they're clearly done in error, so it might've just got left there.

I'd like to look at mine but when I tried via the app it said I had to get a code from the surgery.
When I asked I was told that the practice weren't participating .

Ask the surgery.

Sorry to hijack OP.
I'd be freaked out as well .
Will you be asking your GP about it ?

After downloading the NHS app I found details about two operations I had which were incorrect, when I moved areas recently and registered with a GP at my medical I mentioned this, GP wasn't remotely concerned.

They have to participate but it probably just hasnt got to them yet. NHS England are rolling it out very, very slowly with no logical order to what practices start when. We have been told all practices will be on board by October 2023 - but then again we were told last year that all practices would be on board by October 2024!

Write to your practice to ask them to look into it.

Send the letter for the attention of the Caldicott Guardian - they are responsible for records. Its usually a GP.

Mine stated I’d been admitted via A&E with head and facial injuries following a fall at home. Nope, not me.

I'm with the mistake theory. But you can ring practice to confirm. You'd surely have remember gynae issues because you'd have chased them up if not resolved.

If it's any consolation last year I had surgery and my discharge notes said I'd had x y and z removed. Removal of Z required medication. Consultant told me Z was healthy and remained.

Tbf to consultant it was one of those "we will make decision once we're in and can see clearly" operations.

Took 3 weeks of GP wanting me to start medication and me (laughing rather a lot!) with consultants Secretary trying to get it confirmed that I still had Z.

Poor consultant wrote a grovelling letter of apology which I didn't feel I needed. I was pretty sure I wasn't that out of it when she came to see me after surgery and discharge me!

Completely unsurprised at that, OP.
My GP won't let anyone access their medical records, and I think they will defend that decision until they absolutely have to allow access, they know how many errors there are in the records. I have asthma, and have had for the majority of my life, I have had yearly asthma checks for many, many years.
Turned up for my check a couple of years ago only to be asked by the practice nurse (who was undertaking the review) "How are you coping with your diabetes ?"
Nope, not me, don't have diabetes, have never had diabetes, not even a suspicion of diabetes.
Not mixed up with someone else's records- my surname and my wife's surname is unique, we made it up and we haven't found anyone else in the country with the same name.
I then had a long argument with the nurse that the reason I was there was for my asthma, not diabetes, which I did not and never have had.

I haven't tried to access my records but I know that a large chunk of mine are missing. I moved between areas several years ago and was contacted by the new gp practice to clarify previous addresses as they had two sets of notes and wanted to check they were both for me. Several months later I went to the gp and it became apparent that there were parts of my medical history missing - at the time I assumed it was maybe because of a locum GP. But since then there have been several things that should have been on my record but aren't. I'm almost tempted to access it just to see how much is missing!

I have exactly the same. I have some random entries from '1900' from when I was a child, then nothing through my teens or twenties and then it starts again at my current practice. But even they didn't record stuff that happened privately even when they were copied on all correspondence (like having surgery). It's like looking at someone else's records!

@allthelittleangelsriseupriseup they do have to allow access if you request! Though can redact info if it's thought to be harmful to you

I guess incorrect info doesnt matter too much .I dont think doctors ever look at ones records do they ? IME they always rely on me answering questions re allergies ,operations etc .

@Doyoureallyhavetoask
I know the rules about access to records - spent 10 years working for the NHS - the first three in Medical Records - my boss was the Caldicott Official for the Trust.
Knowing the standard of record keeping, I think I'll protect my nerves a bit longer!

If you don't remember this happening, what are you worried about? Surely you'd know if you saw the gp about gynae issued around then. And if you didn't, its obviously a mistake?

I was asked by a doctor if I had my alcohol consumption under control.
I've never enjoyed drinking and haven't had one for years as don't see the point.
It said in my records that I was an alcoholic.

Mine says I have a weird kidney issue. I don't. Obviously added in error. I did flag it on the system as an error but it's still on there. Probably a patient with the same name or just added in error and the first part of the letter autofilled.

According to mine I had a specific vaccine 10 years ago that I definitely didn't have.

Likely a mistake, especially as you say none of the boxes were ticked.

I have been trying to get the mistakes and wrong information in my GP records corrected for years. My sister is furious because it is documented in her records that she is an alcoholic. She isn't.
This became an issue for me when my travel insurers checked my GP records and accused me of not declaring a pre-existing condition.
IME the GP surgery do not care and are not interested.
It is a case of blind faith in the computer and the digital coding system (that could have been updated by anyone).

My mum once checked hers and discovered an apparent anal prolapse! Definitely not her!

@allthelittleangelsriseupriseup fair enough!