Retrieving NHS test results

[Acb84]

Hi all,

I’m trying to track down some medical test results from around 2009–2010. The tests were done at a Brighton clinic (not my GP) which later merged with another service.

When I requested my records recently, the trust sent me some results but a couple I clearly remember weren’t included. I accessed the service three times between 2009-10, and only one result exists from 2009. I’ve been told it’s possible that older results might still be stored in the hospital pathology/microbiology lab systems (LIMS, ICE, Telepath), even if the clinic’s own records no longer have them. I was also advised that the tests might have not been entered into the new system when they merged and archived then destroyed - which is fine but not sure why there is one result from this time if that was the case?

Has anyone here managed to recover older results directly from a hospital lab archive via a Subject Access Request and got tips on wording a SAR so they search all relevant systems, not just the merged clinic’s records?

I understand there’s no guarantee, but I’d like to make sure I’m asking the right way before I send the request.

Thanks!

These will have been sent to your gp

Not necessarily. Depends on who requested them and if they liaised with your GP for further management. We don’t automatically get blood results from hospitals, sexual health clinics, mental health services or private clinics.

We share a lab system with one our regional hospitals for example but not others so can’t see all blood results unless they or a letter is sent to us.

They definitely haven’t been sent to my GP.

Who referred you?

Thanks for this - yes, it hasn’t been shared with my GP so am trying to track them down separately. The results may have been archived and the destroyed given the timeframe, just a bit surprised that one was kept from that time but not others?

Self referral

You were able to self refer for multiple tests 15 years ago?

Not sure why you are questioning this but yes, I was.

bloods? What kind of tests?

Why do you need to know? Yes, blood tests were amongst them.

Wow, I am going to start to look at what self referral services in my trust now! Thanks!

I expect @Othersnotsomuch asked because usually the results go back to the referrer.

Sexual health services are a specialism where you can self refer and get bloods done, and the results will only go back to them and you.

I get that - but I’d already clarified that they hadn’t gone back, so the questioning felt quite intrusive.

You posted on Chat on Mumsnet wanting some test results
I asked what kind of tests because relevant especially for a self referral

No, I asked for anecdotal advice from people who had successfully used a Service Access Request to a lab and how they did it, clarifying that my GP did not hold the record, which you then seemed to repeatedly query whilst offering no advice.

Niche thread!