Access to medical records after adoption order

[PinkieDinkie]

Hi,

I'm a regular reader and poster on this page, but changed username as this question contains some really sensitive details.

Hoping the experts among us can answer this one.......pre AO we were told we couldn't see our child's records, and were told sketchy details of some parts as part of the CPR. At the meeting with medical advisor, a report was alluded to, relating to a hospital admission etc. she specifically said to us as she sat and read us a few parts from it "when you get the adoption order,you will get to see this". We asked repeatedly for it, from our social worker. No joy. It relates to an incident that was the final event in the birth family, so really pivotal to our child's history and the trauma suffered.

Now order has been given and our GP said we could make an appointment to view the records. But when we tried to do this, the receptionist said "oh I don't know if you can do that....I don't think you can...." confused!

Can anyone shed light on this? I know when AO goes through children get a new NHS number, I am worried the previous history has been deleted and we will never know. Having sat in the doctors a few times, pre AO, we could see the records on the screen and a catalogue of hospital admissions for things we were never told about. Our child's life story with birth family was quite extensive (was not removed at birth) and we want to try and piece together the missing parts if we can. We were only told of one hospital admission, and it appears there were more.

Thanks, sorry for the ramble. I'm a bit lost. Might try adoption UK helpline too.

I would definitely try adoption UK. They are your child's records so I can't see how they could be destroyed but I can see your concerns. Good luck.

Would speak too your GP again , ask him too instruct receptionist, we were quite lucky our receptionist was great not only did she turn out too be a great detective, researched all GP's in the area and Hospitals, with quite surprising revelations.

You can view them, and nothing should have been deleted. If the receptionist can't/won't help, ask for the practice manager. Usually, they will want someone to sit with you (to explain anything if needed, and to make sure you don't add/delete anything). I'd phone, and then follow up fairly promptly with an email/letter direct to the practice manager.

I did view them, but a large amount had been redacted, so it was hard to make sense of it. Also most of the redacted sections were completely pointless as it was an open adoption , so we already knew all former names, addresses etc

You can also write to the health authority and ask to see the hospital records - these are kept separately from the GP records . Be prepared for them to be very difficult.