NHS won't show me my notes

[SnowWhiteAndTheTwoKids]

I've had day surgery today, just a local anaesthetic, nothing major, it was done in 15 minutes. After the operation they said there were no doctors around to do my discharge paperwork so they would post it to me. They asked if I was okay with that or did I want to wait an unknown amount of hours for the paperwork. I said I was happy to get the paperwork in the post but please could I just have a quick look at my file? Nurse said "No, the notes are confidential." I said I just wanted to have a quick look at the info the consultant had added to my file and would give it right back to her. She went off and checked with a senior nurse then came back and said I would need to make a formal information request to see my file.
Why on earth would they be so cagey about this? When I gave birth I was given my notes to look through and it was all very transparent.
YABU - you should trust the NHS and not ask to see your notes.
YANBU - you should be able to read notes about yourself after an operation with wasting more NHS resources on a freedom of information request.

You can see it again but you have to request this (as I’m sure you have already guessed!).

I do get it, especially as no one was available to speak with you. Put in a request to view your file but you could also contact your GP for feedback while you wait.

Everyone has to be treated the same, you might be fine reading your file, Joe Bloggs might not. I understand the view that it is infantilizing for many people but it is also protective for so many others.

Those who are complaining that it's ridiculous that you can't just casually be given your notes and have to make a formal request, you do realise this isn't just an NHS or healthcare thing? It applies to any organisation or company which holds information about you. Your bank, your insurance company, your hairdresser etc etc.. It also applies across the EU as it's part of GDPR.

Thank you. That was very clearly put (for me). Never thought about it belonging to the author, same as photographer/picture.

Yeah, god forbid they should want to understand their own health, eh? Nosy bastards.

That’s not ok! So no post op advice at all? No follow up plans?
I would call the ward now and ask.

For that I would put in a complaint.

Yes it will and the OP said her copy is being sent to her by mail, so she will have a copy.

Why does their protection trump our right to our data?

You have to put in a formal request because hand written notes can be easily misinterpreted and use language which the everyday person is unfamiliar with and could cause you undue stress and worry that the staff would then have to deal with. Had a Dr been there to discuss the results it would be different.

Mine were 'lost' 19 years ago after a difficult birth. Convenient!

As devil's advocate here, because it isn't actually your data. It is legally NHS property. You have a right to view the data, when formally requested, but it isn't your data and you don't have total rights to it.

I don't think any of you even notice how patronizing and condescending you are. I don't want or need to be 'protected' from stress and worry by you, thank you very much.

I'm still devastated that the bitch (yes she was exceptionally rude and uncaring) NHS ultrasound lady wouldn't let us have a photo (provide by them or taken us photographing the screen) of our baby or let us record the heartbeat on our phone at the only scan we got while he was alive (next one he had passed and then 2 more to confirm it).

We are infertile and had been trying for 6 years then got miraculous pregnant the month after my mastectomy.

In the other 3 pregnancies both private (from IVF journey) and the NHS scans I have never been denied a picture, just that one time... the one that ended up really mattering.

She was rude and snappy from the second she called our name to enter the room but at the point when we asked she just snapped at us 'you don't need a picture you'll see him when hes born'.

While the surgeon was operating he gave me some advice eg are you going on holiday? If so, don't get this bit in the sun. Keep it dry for 3 days, I'll prescribe painkillers, the nurses will give you spare waterproof dressings. But he was slicing me open at the time so I wanted to read my notes to make sure I the nurses hadn't missed anything important.

And I don't think you realise how ableist you are. Just because YOU don't need protecting from stress and worry doesn't mean that others are the same. There are millions of vulnerable service users and rules are in place for everybody to protect them too.

Notes often contain references to other people (eg your spouse or children) which might need to be removed. Also mental health records need to be heavily redacted often if you have mentioned other people. Also safeguarding: your husband might have said something to your care giver which is on your file (eg he thinks you are a risk to yourself) and if you knew that, you would kill him….

While one clinician might think your notes are ok, it’s not their job to sign it off - that goes to someone who has the responsibility for any fuck-ups that occur once the notes are released.

You don't but other people do. Better to err on the side of caution and have a process to access your notes, rather than just hand them over. Plus, as others have said, your notes could mention other people. They deserve confidentiality too.

@JusthereforXmas that is shocking. I'm so sorry you had to go through that.

Check your trusts policy as my trusts policy is that if you are an inpatient you can have access to your notes- I have a laminated piece of paper from the CEO saying this after a massive incident in the hospital and subsequent staff not knowing that’s the rule

No it's not pals but this is a guide on how to access them.
https://www.patients-association.org.uk/seeing-your-medical-records

for all those whom has said YANBU. You would have to make a formal request forany records written about you from insurance to banks

but why? if you only have to do an SAR and you can see them, what is the issue around you using the actual words, and them showing you the actual file?

If the are competent enough to ask questions (like to see their note) they are deserving of being able too.

The only ableism is coming from you here.