To think vaccination record cannot go missing?

[hatethinkingofusernames]

I'm 27. Had all my vaccinations at my childhood GP, when I moved towns when I was 8 I moved doctors and stayed till I was 24 then moved to London and switched GPs. I now need a copy of the dates that my MMR was done and my old doctors are saying they printed everything out along with my paper notes and sent them to my London GP. London gp are saying all they have is something that says all immunisations are up to date. Previous drs are saying as I'm not a patient they can't give me any information even if they had the documents!? So one dr is saying they don't have anything and other drs is saying even if they did they can't give me anything! Does anyone know where I stand in this situation? I'm planning on ringing again this morning to see how my notes were sent because if they are lost then it's a massive breach of confidentiality and data protection. I also find it very hard to believe that it's paper notes when everything is electronic. I'm sorry I know it's long I'm just so confused! I could have my MMR done again but it's for a job that I need to start ASAP. My mums also looked for my baby vaccine book but no luck yet! Thanks apologies again about the length xx

If your vaccinations were done before GP records were widely computerised (so pre 2000) then they may not have been digitised as a lot of historical records haven't. Sometimes they have been digitally summarised - so 'all vaccs up to date' added as single line rather than each vaccination separately. Digitisation isn't automatic and there is no money to pay people to do it. In terms of records transfer and loss of records it's not actually arranged by the individual practice but on a national level and was privatised to Captia (aka Crapita) several years ago. Since then unfortunately loss of records has been a problem... www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/practice-news-/nhs-patient-data-serious-incidents-doubled-since-capita-contract/20034848.article

That makes a lot of sense, so my digital records were sent over with all vacs up to do date but then they didn't send the actual paper copies, even though they said they did. Hopefully they didn't and they're still there and they can give me some info. My minds been so jumbled but this has helped thank you x

Have you tried ringing the previous surgery and explaining that if they don't pull out your MMR record and pass it on that you will put in a request to them for ALL your data? Might concentrate their minds.

I have the same issue - I’m a GP and need to prove that I’ve had all my vaccines (some new regulation) but I had them done before computerised notes were a thing.

The records don’t exist.

hatethinkingofusernames - the practice probably did send all paper records - but the third party (Capita) will transfer the digital records separetly to the paper records. There have been lots of issues with paper records not getting where they need to be. The old GP surgery will no longer be the 'data controller' so may not be able to provide you with the information.

Also worth noting that vaccinations done at school have not always made it to GP records as held centrally by health authorities so these are more likely to be missing.

GP notes are supposed to be retained until 10 years after the patient’s death according to the NHS code of conduct so whatever they haven’t digitised should be stored offline in paper format in a warehouse or similar. I bet a lot of GP practices haven’t complied with this though.

www.pulsetoday.co.uk/home/finance-and-practice-life-news/information-commissioner-to-question-capita-over-missing-gp-patient-records/20031845.article

Where I worked it was taking >3months, and sometimes not all, for paper records to get to us from the practice just down the road. The surgery has their hands tied, we have to use the government provided service to move records between practices. They don't deliver straight from practice to practice, it all has to go through central processing.

Mine have also been lost - not sure how it can be resolved.

I'm 4 years older than you and have moved more times that I can count. My records were all digital, including for MMR. They even knew I'd missed my second dose so I had it there and then.
It's dangerous to the baby in pregnancy so they should offer it again if you aren't sure anyway.

I am older than you and had no bother getting vaccination info from the GP. I also contacted the child health team for schools and they also had all of the information on file and were able to send me it (I needed that for the BCG date).

I have never actually had the MMR but had the rubella vaccine in school. Your new employer can check titre levels and re-vaccinate if necessary - not having this paperwork is not a deal breaker, so don't panic.

I've lived in Uk 28 yrs & GP has no record of my jabs (I've had jabs in last 28 yrs). Quite funny. I've cobbled together a likely list. Some countries won't let you in without records.

Thanks everyone for all this information! I have again spoken to my GP And yep they went to Capita never to be seen again!!!! Have to have the jabs again. Hopefully this doesn't affect my start date for work 🤦🏼‍♀️ very frustrating this has been going on for about a week now!!