Suicide attempt on GP records

[Lallybroch]

In 1989, after leaving my emotionally abusive husband I attempted suicide. This is still showing on my medical records. Will it always be there or can I request that it is removed?

I believe it will always show but you can add an amendment if you've got something to say about it.

For some reason; my mums suicide attempts are even noted on mine - and I believe you can't get anything accurate removed.

You shouldn't experience any issues because of it, though, especially so long ago. I hope you're okay now

I don’t think you can selectively request certain medical records can be deleted?

Plus, it is part of your medical history and may still be useful to a treating dr.

Why do you want it removed? How does it being on confidential medical records affect you in a negative way?

If you have ongoing mh issues, it is important. If you don’t, it was a low in your life and something you have recovered from. Which you should be proud of, not embarrassed.

Well it's will still be viewed as part of your medical history in terms of your previous mental health, so I think it's 'valid' that's it there, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Trust me, loads of people have similar things on their medical records and your GP wont bat an eyelid at it unless it's relevant to any of your current health issues (which it sounds like it isn't).

You can request that things are “sealed” in your medical records so that care providers can only open them when they have a bloody good reason. However, requests can be refused if the doctor feels it would compromise the care you get in future.

I wouldn’t worry about it. There’s all that and more on my medical records and I’ve never felt judged about it.

Thanks everyone, I think it's just that I have moved on so much and it reminds me of a bad time in my life. I understand it's probably necessary that it stays on there, but just thought I would ask.

^I think the ‘sealed’ record that the above poster refers to only applies to something like an abortion which you can request to not be shown on low level searches of your medical record. I’m not sure about something like a suicide attempt as it could potentially be vital information for future healthcare visits. Or even just in general, for example if someone wanted to buy a shotgun in the UK, the police would check with their GP before issuing a license. If a suicide attempt showed on the applicant’s file, they would be refused a shotgun license. So it can be relevant in ways you may not expect.

However I can definitely understand why you’d rather have it removed, especially as it was so long ago. If it’s any consolation, I have things on my record that I wish wasn’t there too. I had very minor gynaecology surgery earlier this year. On my medical record, there’s notes and letters from referrals detailing my sexual history/partners, problems I was having, notes about my downstairs region etc which seem to pop up from time to time and I feel embarrassed! It doesn’t help that this was literally the only serious thing I went to my GP for (infrequent patient) so it’s not even buried deep in my file as there isn’t much in my file to begin with.