Heel prick test - what appears on medical records in the system

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Hi everyone - can you please help me to understand what would be visible in a person's medical records if a child had:

• had a positive heel prick result for one of the conditions
• had a negative heel prick result for one of the conditions
• not had a heel prick test done at all so no results

I was hoping someone with knowledge might be able to advise what SHOULD be visible in the system in each of these scenarios.

The "system" doesn't exist as such. Each community trust, hospital trust, and GP uses one of a selection of about 5 systems. They very often don't talk to each other so what shows in the GP system often doesn't show on the hospital for example.

In my area, the heel prick results always get sent to the GP to process, but as each GP can use a different system, how it shows doesn't look the same.

Sorry, don't suppose that is much help???

So if a test had never happened, would there be any way for a new GP to know that?

Thank you for replying @mcdog

Also - no record in one place does not automatically mean a test was not done?

In my area, the GP would absolutely be able to see if a test was/was not done. But unfortunately (as with most of the nhs) each trust does things totally differently.

I agree, I'm not sure your actual question but the only way to be 100% sure a heel prick test was done would be to request the notes/discharge letter/ records for that time from the specific provider eg. hospital or GP.

Child health information services will have all the screening and immunisation information for every baby/child. Not accessible to the general public.
A full set of 'normal results' will have 9/10 diseases that will say 'not suspected.'
Any abnormal results will say 'suspected' against the specific disease.
Parent's should receive a copy of the results - often via post.
All babies are offered a heel prick test and if this is declined it will be recorded.
I don't think GPs keep a copy of the results in their records in my area. But GPs will be informed of any abnormal results.
What are you concerned about?

Child health information services will have all the screening and immunisation information for every baby/child. Not accessible to the general public.
Thanks @Rainrainanotherday this sounds like it could be a helpful organisation name to ask the doctor to check. Is that national or broken down by trust (or other)?

I just had a reason to ask a question and now can't seem to get to any information.

I suppose also @Rainrainanotherday - will they have older records as well as newer?

You may have better luck asking your local health visiting service. They have access to the results.
Child health records departments are broken down by area - generally linked to GP address.
I hope you get the info you want!

Thanks - I could try the health visitors. The issue is getting someone to look at anything in these times of no easy way to speak to anyone in the NHS

Just to report back - the HV team were a) contactable and b) nice to me so thank you very much @Rainrainanotherday for that suggestion.

I feel sorry for my GP practice but it is very hard to discuss anything with them.

Although they were not able to see the information either which is driving me a bit mad!

Have you googled child health informatics service for your area? I just have for mine, and the number comes up.

They prob won't give you details over the phone, but they might be able to tell you how to get the info you need.

The midwife team you were under would be able to advise as well

My area only passes positive results on to parents. I realised that a disease we have a family history of was in the heel prick test when my son was about four. So wanted a copy of his heel prick test.

Neither the GP or health visitors had a copy of the results but they gave me the number my local child information services who posted out the (negative) results in a letter. I had my son's NHS number, date of birth, and full name and address when I contacted them. I hope you get the results soon.

I assume you don't have the child's red book? Could you request the tests are performed again, given there appears to be no evidence they were ever done? Have you contacted PALS at the hospital where the baby was born, or which the maternity service was attached to? I googled newborn bloodspot screening and the city where I live and that took me to this page belonging to the local screening lab. It's not super up-to-date (refers to the PCTs which were abolished a decade ago) but would be another avenue to explore.

Thansk @Lintu - I am wondering if it is the same for my area too.

My GP practice manager has called and is going to find out if my GP can request results, which might be easier than me requesting myself.

Is it sickle cell screening result you want OP?