Can the hospital keep the maternity notes?

[Katiekat117]

I went in Saturday and forgot to pick them up when I left. When I called to request them they said they didn't have to return them as they are the property of South Tees. It seems petty and childish of them to refuse.

Oh and I'm aware that some hospitals/midwife clinics don't give whooping cough vaccines so it is up to you to organise it yourself with your GP.

If you haven't had any blood or urine tests throughout the pregnancy then please contact a midwife and ask for these ASAP. Explain the situation and say that you have not had any tests. Meanwhile make a complaint through pals, but your priority should be to get these tests done.

In terms of the actual birth then you can show up in labour at the hospital and say that you forgot them - if you are in active labour then I cannot imagine that they would turn you away.

The blood tests will check for gestational diabetes, anaemia, and other problems which could mean you need extra care in your pregnancy. Did they check your blood type to see whether you needed anti d injections? The urine tests check for utis and pre eclampsia which can be serious if not picked up early.

Maybe the (reported) terrible ante-natal care is the reason the notes have gone astray

I changed hospital at 36 weeks from a London hospital to an Essex one, I took the notes with me. The London hospital never asked to keep the notes either, and were happy to provide me with additional notes to pass on to the new hospital. Saying that, a new hospital should not refuse you because you don't have your notes.

The new hospital can’t refuse you just because you don’t have notes. What if you were unbooked or a refugee? Tell the new hospital that you suggest they refer to the NMC code of conduct and start providing you with care. To be honest if you really haven’t had a single blood test then your notes are fairly useless. Do they even know if you’re rhesus positive or negative?

This is shocking OP. I'm sorry you have received such appalling care. You really need to complain about this, as the hospital practices should be investigated. Urine should be dipped at every appointment and bloods taken multiple times. Did you have your tummy measured to check rate of baby growth. By not offering you the pre-natal tests they have potentially put you and your baby at risk. Regarding Whooping Cough, while your midwife wouldn't necessarily give you the injection, they should be making you aware that it's recommended etc.
Do you know if your blood type is rhesus positive or negative? You are much more likely to be positive, but if negative you will need a blood test to check baby's blood type and possibly multiple injections to protect your baby from attack by your immune system.
In the short term I hope you can get things rectified so you feel looked after for the remainder of your pregnancy and birth. In the longer term, please don't let your appalling treatment go unchecked.

The notes legally belong to the hospital trust that issued them, but you can ask for a copy of them under GDPR.
No hospital can refuse treatment unless a person has been abusive and there is a zero tolerance policy etc in place (I'm not suggesting this is the case by the way)
So if your are transferring your care to a new hospital, tell them I am transferring my care to you, "booking in".
They can't refuse you. They just need to complete a new set of notes.
Don't bother with your GP they will be of no help in this situation.
Check if the hospital you want to transfer to has a self-referral form or phone number to self-refer. This is the best option
Good luck

I just remembered that I actually have two sets of maternity notes like everyone else in my area.

I have the notes in my maternity folder that I take home and a maternity file that stays in the hospital or the community midwife has to update. I've seen them with a band around them both in different trays in the maternity hospital when I've had my consultant appointments, scan appointments and hospital midwife appointments. Plus I've seen the same for women who have community midwife appointments at the hospital.

Added to that if I see my GP they have to write in my maternity folder and update my patient GP record.

So OP the other hospital is making excuses not to take you on and you need to kick up a stink as the original hospital do have your maternity notes, even if they don't have your "set".

Btw OP you are aware it is illegal to conceal a birth and by not seeking care while you are in labour can put both your own and the baby's life at risk?

It is critical that you get the bloods, your blood pressure and urine checked ASAP.

Do not lie and tell them your notes have been stolen. Go directly to PALS and tell them you’ve been told your notes were lost and you’ve had none of the standard blood tests. They will take this VERY seriously indeed.

Hi I work in healthcare totally agree with going to PALS but also I would most definitely recommend contacting the trust and asking for the contact details of the CALDICOT guardian every Trust has to have one it's that person who deals with health records and can tell you the process properly (I'd ring matt tbh and ask once you mention that I reckon it'll put the shits up them) xx

How's things OP? Any joy?

An you really switch hospitals at 38 weeks pregnant, just like that?

@Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar I was 36 weeks when I switched, so yes you can :)

@Katiekat117 what happened in the end? I hope you got it all sorted out.

An you really switch hospitals at 38 weeks pregnant, just like that?

Of course you can, you can switch at any point. You can also give birth at whatever hospital you like, whether you have formally switched or not.
I moved house and area late on in both my pregnancies (in fact moved country in my first) and switched with no problems.

Bloods are vital as they also check your platelet count and know to keep an eye on you if they are low, I am so terribly sorry you haven't been cared for properly, what a horrible situation x

Hi. I work for the NHS. Phone the hospital switch board and ask for the Information Governance department who may be able to assist better than clinical and general admin staff. Under the new GPDR rules I dont think you have to pay anymore and we should have better access to our own records. But this sounds appalling! Good luck!