How do I get my hospital notes?

7 replies

FloweryBoots · 13/09/2011 20:14

I'm sure this will have been answered else where but I couldn't spot anything. I always meant to get a copy of my notes from point of arriving at hospital to going up to the post natal ward but still (a year on) haven't got round to it! I asked before leaving hospital and they said they couldn't just give me a copy I had to write off to somewhere for them but I don't remember where. Any one else done this - how do you get them?!

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breatheslowly · 13/09/2011 20:27

Your hospital should have a PALs service - check out their website to get PALs address/phone number and contact them. Even if PALs don't actually do it, they should be able to direct you to the right department. I got charged me 50 quid for the photocopying (but I did get a ream of paper).

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FloweryBoots · 13/09/2011 20:35

Thanks, I'll take a look. But crikey, fifty quid!!! I was expecting a charge but I didn't think it would be that much. Do you mind me asking, was it worth the £50 to have your notes?

I felt I'd had a fairly tough time of it at the time I gave birth, and for the first few days felt pretty traumatised, but that quickly wore off and I never bothered with a debrief although before leaving hospital I was told I could call to arrange one. Partly I want my notes because I'm just interested, I'd like to fill in the gaps of things I couldn't really take in or don't remember, but also part of me worries that I think I'm OK about it all now but that I might suddenly not feel like that if I were pregnant again (not trying yet but we intend to have more in due course) and going through my notes might help with that.

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littlewheel · 13/09/2011 21:43

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UterusUterusGhali · 13/09/2011 23:59

Ring the Post Natal ward and ask if they do a "Birth Afterthoughts" service.

You will not need to pay, but the MW will go through the notes for you and answer any questions you have. TBH notes are often writen in a medical shorthand and may take some ploughing through unless you are familiar with medical obstetric terms.

breatheslowly · 14/09/2011 08:02

I felt it was worth it - it allowed me to prepare properly for my birth afterthoughts session. It might not be £50 for you - I think it depends on how much photocopying there is. I was in for 4 days being induced with lots of monitoring, so all of those monitor print outs were photocopied too.

sleepevader · 14/09/2011 08:15

I have just gone over my notes with midwife I'm seeing for specialist care.

Still may get full copy of notes but after this birth. Hopefully then just 1 charge.

There are blantant in my last notes. Eg Said they offered to btwak waters on doctors advice and I refused. They didn't. This time I will be doing it soon after birth.

grubbalo · 14/09/2011 11:14

Wow, £50! I have got my notes for my previous 2 births (and intend to again this time) and it was about £10. I think they charged me something like £10 for the first 50 pages and then there would have been a cost for each additional 10 - but my notes were quite short so it didn't go into that.

If this is a national thing I don't think I'd be paying £50.. I only got my notes as I'm nosy rather than it being anything more serious.

I just rang reception of the hospital and explained the situation and they put me through to the right department who went through costs, hopefully your PCT will have slightly more reasonable charges!

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