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Original poster

Mum's medical records.

28 replies

PurpleSapphire · 20/01/2021 02:43

Hi, wasn't sure where to post this really. So, my mum died three years ago in hospital. At the time I couldn't find out exactly what happened, my stepdad got the phone call early in the morning, he said he didn't know.
In the weeks following I called time and time again but noone could tell me how she died..they just said I needed to speak to someone else who wasn't around for various reasons. In the end I gave up, I was struggling with my mental health at the time and it was making me worse. I've wanted for some time now to get hold of her medical records but I couldn't find out if it was possible and I knew my stepdad wouldn't help, he had no interest in knowing, that was his way and he's never liked me enough to care about my feelings.
Now my stepdad has passed away so would it be easier for me to get hold of her records? I feel I need to in order to properly move on. I don't know if she died peacefully in her sleep, or whether something happened. I don't know if they tried to resusitate her or if not whose choice it was. I literally dont know anything about that day and it plays on my mind constantly.
It seems selfish for me to even think of causing more work for the NHS right now however small so I really don't know what to do but I dont know if there's any time limit on getting her records which Is why i'm asking.
(My apologies if this looks all over the place, i've not been on mn for so long i've never used it on a phone).

OP posts:
OhNoGroken · 20/01/2021 02:51

Get in touch with PALS for your local hospital and they should be able to help you

Hotpinkangel19 · 21/01/2021 15:14

I have no help, but I'm in the same situation so I'm following for advice if that's okay.

BrownShed · 21/01/2021 15:23

Hi Op, sorry for your loss. Do you have any paperwork relating to your mother’s death? What does the death certificate say was the cause of death? The

YesMeLady · 21/01/2021 15:25

I agree it might help to go via PALS, even if you do not get her records it might be possible for a doctor to read them and answer your questions. Flowers

yahyahs22 · 21/01/2021 15:25

Surely there's a death certificate?? This sounds suspicious

YesMeLady · 21/01/2021 15:34

What sounds suspicious. There are many reasons not all family are given medical information especially over the phone. The Access to Medical Records gives advice about this, maybe a meeting with her doctor or g.p can help.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 21/01/2021 15:34

Why suspicious? OPs mum was married. He chose to be uncommunicative.

OP as others have said, contact your local PALS and ask for their help.

Kndg · 21/01/2021 15:39

Hi op,
Do you have a copy of your mum's death certificate? If she passed away suddenly in hospital there would normally be a post mortem to ascertain cause of death.
Best to speak to PALS for further advice.

Wishing you good luck in your search.

Longdistance · 21/01/2021 15:47

Yes, you should be able to access the information through PALS. I’m surprised you haven’t got a death certificate, but I’m sure your sd probably had one and not shown you. You can request a copy of it through the .gov website.

Tryalittletenderness · 21/01/2021 17:52

You can go to the Registration office and get a copy of the death certificate.

Offside · 21/01/2021 17:56

OP I’m not sure it’ll be that easy to get a copy of the records now due to GDPR. I work somewhere where we often have to request medical records and ordinarily we have to have patient consent, if not we use our legislative powers to obtain them. It is slightly different with someone who is dead but I do think it will be difficult, maybe not impossible but difficult. I wouldn’t even both requesting yet to be honest, these are the types of requests that the NHS are not dealing with at the moment (even with us with our legislative powers!) so maybe give it until we’re out of lockdown and pursue it.

DinosaurDiana · 21/01/2021 17:57

Have you got her death certificate ?

Justcallmebebes · 21/01/2021 21:31

You don't need to go through PALS. Write to Access to Records Dept at hospital she died at and request full set of records. They have to provide them within 40 days and can't charge you for them. However they may ask for Grant of Probate as your mum is deceased and you are applying as a representative of her estate. I work in clin neg and deal with med records on a daily basis. If you are thinking there may have been negligence you may be out of time tho as there is a 3 year limitation period for claims

OohImBlindedByTheLights · 21/01/2021 22:39

If you contact your mums health board information governance/ data protection department and you will need to complete a subject access request to access her health records. You will need to provide proof of ID. They will advise you on the next steps. A family member of mine done something similar recently.

DoWahDiddy · 22/01/2021 05:33

Not sure if this will help, when my Mum died I was there and knew the circumstances. What I didn't know was how she arrived in that situation as my Mum was very private / in denial / didn't want to cause a fuss and just got on with things.

A while after my Mum's funeral I was at my GP, same GP as my Mum, and I asked him about my Mum's medical history. He said he wasn't able to tell me anything due to patient confidentiality.

PALS is the way to go, imho...

Original poster
PurpleSapphire · 08/02/2021 01:40

Thanks all, I do have a copy of her death certificate. One of the causes is listed as COPD which she to my knowledge had never previously been diagnosed with. Basically she was an alcoholic. She was showing signs of jaundice for months before she was admitted to hospital and I couldn't convince her to see a doctor. I said I would send one to her house but she point blank refused to let him/her in. When I told her she had turned yellow she cried, told me I was a cruel daughter and I was awful for slating her looks. My stepdad had told her she didn't look yellow at all apparently and so I had no power to do anything until one night he called an ambulance himself. It was very clear she was ill but up until the last 2 weeks she was in a reasonably good state of mind. I just have no clue what went on that day, if her organs all finally failed, if she died in her sleep, I have no idea.

OP posts:
AnotherVice · 08/02/2021 01:59

But what does the rest of the death certificate say? It should be on there and if you don't understand it, I or someone on here may be able to help (or google it?).

CherryRoulade · 08/02/2021 02:03

It’s possible under certain conditions but not necessarily a given that you will have access. You wouldn’t have probate if your stepfather survived her, assumably? It might have been easier if he were still alive.
It doesn’t sound on the information you give that you would have a claim. An alcoholic in end stage liver failure would have a poor prognosis. Are you sure you want the details of her death? It’s not always very pleasant.
The resuscitation decision is a clinical decision made by her medical team, but in discussion with her. It is very likely that if she was in end stage liver failure, resuscitation would have been futile and so not attempted.
It might be that post Covid someone could talk you through her condition and treatment decisions. Contact PALS to ask about that.

The Access to Health Records Act 1990 provides the right of access to a deceased person’s health records subject to the person requesting the records is either:
 The deceased person’s Personal Representative –documentation confirming documentation confirming of appointment [Grant of Probate/ Letters of Administration] will be required
Or
Has a claim arising from a person’s death and wish to access information relevant to a claim against the trust. The grounds must be stated at the time of application.

A charge applies which will be proportionate to the volume of records requested, an estimate will be provided prior to copying. The maximum fee payable will be £100.00. Hospitals are allowed 40 days, from the date that a correctly completed form together with the appropriate identification documentation and fee are received to provide copies of the medical records requested.

Original poster
PurpleSapphire · 08/02/2021 02:06

I dont want to make any sort of claim, I just wanted to know if she went peacefully that's all. Sorry if that's how it came across.

OP posts:
minisoksmakehardwork · 08/02/2021 02:07

@PurpleSapphire - it's not coming across as looking to claim. Your query is definitely coming across as wanting to know so don't worry in that score. I can't help with how you get that information though.

excelledyourself · 08/02/2021 02:09

@PurpleSapphire

I dont want to make any sort of claim, I just wanted to know if she went peacefully that's all. Sorry if that's how it came across.
But if she didn't, that won't do you any good. Are you sure about this?
Original poster
PurpleSapphire · 08/02/2021 02:12

Excelledyourself, yes. I just want to know then I can deal with it and leave it in the past where it belongs now.

OP posts:
cabbageking · 08/02/2021 02:13

The causes are listed in order with contributing causes.

Sometimes not knowing might be better? Have you thought how you will feel if you find out something? Do you think this will also play on your mind?
Have you considered some grief therapy pethaps?

Original poster
PurpleSapphire · 08/02/2021 02:19

I'm on the waiting list for counselling cabbageking, 18 months so far. I really do think it would help, the not knowing is far worse to me.

OP posts:
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