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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be so cross and upset that I'm going to see the doctor tomorrow

159 replies

ScrotesOnFire · 11/05/2016 21:08

And try and get an item removed from my medical records?

I can't go into any detail for fear of outing myself, but I saw my midwife today and she brought up an item on my records.

From many MONTHS ago which means that she must have been nosy and been rifling through my medical history in order to come across it Angry

I was not aware that this information had been shared, I would not have given consent for it, it has no relevance to my health, was dealt with long ago and can only possibly be used to cause me distress, not improve my care in any way, shape or form.

I am absolutely furious that she has been rifled through my history like this, who else is this information open to?!?!
Any midwife, nurse, doctor, receptionist etc could read about it.

I haven't been able to relax all day about it, I am so upset and distressed.

I feel like not seeing my midwife ever again. Or the doctors.

Feel violated actually.

OP posts:
ajandjjmum · 11/05/2016 21:32

Presumably it's there because whatever it is could have an impact on your physical or mental health?

Having said that, if it upsets you, what not see your GP and chat it through with them?

NicknameUsed · 11/05/2016 21:32

I think ItsAll may be right.

I'm not sure that everyone who works at the surgery would have access to your medical records. Perhaps just the doctors and midwives. Clearly the midwife thinks whatever it was is relevant.

I suspect that if you contact the surgery to get it deleted it might raise more concerns, which is not what you want.

TheCrumpettyTree · 11/05/2016 21:32

Why do you think she was rifling through your notes? I'm a nurse and I look through my patients notes (on the ward). It's normal practice to get an accurate history and any relevant information. It's not being nosy.

WellieWanger · 11/05/2016 21:33

Bah. Meant understand not under

PacificDogwod · 11/05/2016 21:34

YANBU at all to discuss this with your doctor.

YABU if you are expecting any of us to be able to say anything much about what is causing you so much distress as we have no idea what it is.

Fwiw medically records hold all sorts of information about physical and mental health, social circumstances, life events (good and bad), relationship problems, financial disasters, sexual misadventures (whether consensual or not), domestic violence etc etc. A medical record is a legal document that cannot be altered just like that. It can be accessed by anybody who has a valid involvement in your care, so a MW would certainly fall in to that category. Going back 'months and months' is really not unusually; often information from even years or decades ago is relevant.

Please discuss your concerns with your doctor. You can request to see all of your records, but need to do this in writing to the practice manager.
I hope you get a satisfactory outcome Thanks

Blueberry234 · 11/05/2016 21:35

Generally you will get a printout of all med history so unlikely to have been rifling it would just be on your printout of previous medical history

Oakmaiden · 11/05/2016 21:35

Months and months ago wouldn't be very many lines of info for most people. It is not like a big diary they have to riffle through.

If it is relevant to your obstestric history (eg an abortion/miscarriage) then there is every reason for the midwife to discuss it.

If it is relevant to your mental health (eg counselling/domestic violence/previous abuse of other types) then it may no longer be relevant, but there is every reason for the mw to want to check all is OK.

If it is relevant to your well being (weight loss, dom violence, etc)ditto.

If, however, it is about your shopping habits/ mortgage/ legal status or criminal record then I agree with you.

I am sure if your doctor is ABLE to remove the item then they will.

If they are not able to then moving surgery would be pointless as the records will just move with you.

HelsBels3000 · 11/05/2016 21:36

Can't you name change and post what the note is? because I'm really confused? It is about mental health but it isn't. It isn't a medical issue but its on your medical record. Forgive me for not getting this at all Hmm

Original poster
ScrotesOnFire · 11/05/2016 21:37

She had to scroll a LONG way up to show it to me today...

It just isn't relevant to my health and should not be on there.

I can see no one is in agreement with me but I don't trust her anymore.
I will ask the doctor tomorrow and if they refuse I will be removing myself from their 'care'.

I appreciate everyone's comments but I won't be contributing further because I feel too distressed about it all.

OP posts:
Petal40 · 11/05/2016 21:37

I'd calm down if I were you. I'd take a big deep breath and let it go...if you go in there guns blazing you risk alarm bells ringing and all sorts of intervention you don't want from agencies you don't want involved.....

3littlefrogs · 11/05/2016 21:38

Make an appointment to see the practice manager.
It will be possible to see when the information was added to your record and by whom.
Don't go in all guns blazing. Once you know who put the information on there you will be able to consider how best to proceed.
The midwife sounds tactless TBH. There are ways of approaching things without just raising something that is clearly sensitive.
Sorry that this has happened.

MoonriseKingdom · 11/05/2016 21:38

It's difficult for people to comment without knowing what it is about. Your mental health is as important as your physical health in pregnancy - antenatal and post natal depression are common and midwives are expected to look at risk factors. I had depression treated with medication in the past. I have been fine for over 2 years off mess but my midwife still sent my details to the maternity mental health team (I didn't have to go see them).

If you discuss something with your GP they will have to record it in the notes. Did you not realise this? There are of course strict rules on confidentiality but people involved in your care at the practice will be able to see the records. If you feel the midwife has accessed your records inappropriately then take it up with the practice.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 11/05/2016 21:38

I doubt anyone here can advise you when you are being very vague about what this is about.

However, it is worrying that you feel so distressed and unable to relax because this issue was briefly mentioned today. I'm sure your midwife didn't intend to upset you.
You're pregnant and your health is important so it might be an idea to discuss whatever is bothering you with your Gp, even if they can't alter your records?

Antanddec123 · 11/05/2016 21:38

Physical and mental health are interlinked.

I don't think it is unreasonable to read a patient's notes thoroughly before seeing them. She's just doing her job, part of that is to ask difficult questions, to identify any safeguarding issues.

It won't be removed from your records as pp says and your NHS notes will follow you to another GP practice.

There are lots of "embarrassing" things on most peoples medical records; nobody sails through life. It's really not important in the grand scheme of things. Don't focus on that, just let it go -it's really not worth the stress to you or the baby.

Also, think about whether highlighting this with your GP tomorrow may be counterproductive .

livewyre · 11/05/2016 21:38

You can't have things that are not 'an error' removed from your record because you want them to be.

Otherwise, all sorts could be removed at the patient's request, and then when a insurance report is requested, for instance, there could be fraud.

In holistic care, I doubt it's irrelevant. Otherwise why would the doctor write it down? And why would the midwife think it's important?

Midwives don't 'rifle' through notes, they don't have the time. They obviously think it's relevant. Or your GP surgery do, if they've flagged it on the system.

Raising it as an issue won't get it removed.

It may get you labeled as 'that sort of patient', and the info hidden in your notes where you don't see it. But unless it is factually incorrect, HCPs will be able to see it.

If you don't want your doctor to know something, don't tell them.

hownottofuckup · 11/05/2016 21:39

If it is anything to do with domestic violence it will be flagged up as dv can begin/increase during pregnancy/post partum.
They ask all women about DV at midwife appointments now and will be aware if there is a history.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 11/05/2016 21:40

I've got to admit, I do find it rather weird that midwives are routinely looking at women's entire medical histories with no reason to do so

Midwives take a pretty full history at booking on appointments. I understand that at the booming in appointment, something maybe disclosed that might warrant a closer look. But I'm uncomfortable with them looking through records regarding, say, a tonsillectomy 30 years ago. How is that relevant? I don't think there should be speculative reviews of medical records

livewyre · 11/05/2016 21:40

Unless you're planning on never using the NHS, your notes will follow you.

But with a note on about how you reacted to this! Which will mean people will be more cautious what they show you is in your notes.

littledrummergirl · 11/05/2016 21:41

Please do not take a gp appointment to discuss this. Your gp deals with clinical information. For an administrative issue contact the practice manager, they will go through your notes with you and discuss your query at a mutually agreed time. This is something that can take longer than 10 mins.

WriteforFun1 · 11/05/2016 21:43

I asked to see my medical records once as I got a bizarre letter about medication I've never been prescribed!

When I looked at them, one period of illness had a note about possible stress due to "problems at home". I racked my brains...I live alone, I bloody love my home and wasn't having a neighbor dispute or anything.

I asked them to remove it because it was a nonsense, I can only guess someone wrote it while mixing me up with someone else. If it's not related to your health, surely you can get it removed?

Myinlawsdidthisthebastards · 11/05/2016 21:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 11/05/2016 21:44

^Raising it as an issue won't get it removed.

It may get you labeled as 'that sort of patient', and the info hidden in your notes where you don't see it.^

For goodness sake, it's entirely legitimate for patients to raise concerns or discuss any issues that they might have. HCPs are not God. They are allowed to be questioned. As I've said above, I would be interested to know exactly how this information has made its way on to the records and the exact reason that the midwife was looking at/for this information. These are legitimate questions for the OP to ask.

livewyre · 11/05/2016 21:44

Gobbolino (Storyteller?) Midwives don't have time to go through everyone's notes like this. Mine rarely bothered to get to grips with my maternity notes!

Which makes me think that it likely to be something relevant to pregnancy/the social situation of the baby.

Myinlawsdidthisthebastards · 11/05/2016 21:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CaspoFungin · 11/05/2016 21:45

Don't do the whole "remove it or I'm removing myself from your care" you'll only be punishing yourself if you do that, it doesn't affect anyone but you and your baby if you remove yourself. Annoys me when patients threaten stuff like that "I'll self discharge if I don't get my own way" well carry on, we could do with your bed anyway.

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