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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: kamakaziken on Sunday 02 July 06 15:20 BST (UK)
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Hi Folks,
Wondered if anyone had had previous experience in getting access to the medical records of their parents or other relatives?
I have always been told that my mother who died in 1953 when I was a child, died of Leukemia, however, I have just been advised by my aunt, that my mother had a complaint called Lupus which was the cause of her premature death.
Obviously I have had a look into the Lupus side and wondered now if, under new legislation, I would be able to view her medical records if I could track them down?
Dont have a great deal of information apart, obviously her name and date of death, and the hospital in Hackney where she died?
Appreciate any advice or assistance on this?
Thanks.
Ken
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Hi Ken,
I don't know for sure, but what I would do is contact the hospital in Hackney and ask to speak to the Data Protection Officer and Freedom of Information Officer (if they are different people).
It would be up to them what would be allowed to be disclosed.
I hope you find what you are looking for.
Kind regards,
Thudnut.
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Following thudnuts advice,the modern hospital that covers Hackney is Homerton Hospital (some friends are junior doctors there!). Think it is part of the trust that also covers the Royal London. Homerton might know where these records are kept and what access you can have.
Gordon
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I'm pretty sure that the records are sealed for 50 years - I think you may be in luck !
Wonder if you could start the process with an email to the hospital concerned ??
Annie :)
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If I remember rightly Annie, my 2nd cousin mentioned something about looking for medical records for oneo f her ancestors and was told it was 75 years though I wouldn't swear on that. So we can settle for between 50 and 75 if that's okay
Carol
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My Mother died of TB at Branston Hall Lincoln in 1940...my Sister died the same year at 34, Wrawby Street Brigg (an Isolation Hospital) of German Measles aged six months. I have the Death Certificates for both, so I know when and where they died...what I don't know is their admission dates etc.,??.
I've tried to obtain this information without any success whatsoever from numerous sources...and apparently, records are only kept for seven years!!.....
If anyone knows different I would appreciate any information.
Michael72.
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It looks like some hospital records are held at the National Archives and then some at local records offices :-\ :-\
Annie :)
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Hi All,
Thanks so much for the advice, have just realised that the death certificate actually shows the registration district as Hackney but that, I guess, doesnt necessarily mean she died in Hackney (Homerton) Hospital, just that the notification of death was carried out at that registry.
Back to the drawing board I guess.....thanks again.
Ken
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Hi
I presume you have the death certificate. What does it say about the place and cause of death?
Regards
Linda
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Hi Linda
the death cert doesnt specify a place of death, just the registration district of Hackney, and death in the sub disctrict of Hackney South East in the Metropolitan Borough of Hackney.
The cause is difficult the totally decyper (doctors writing) but can read.... acute disseminated Lupus....
I also have a death certificate for my brother who died the same day (aged 2 days) but his certificate is registered in the Registration district of Bethnal Green in the sub district of Bethnal Green North East in the Metropolitan Borough of Bethnal Green.
I know Hackney and Bethnal Green are close to each other so am assuming that my mother was moved from the hospital my brother was in (Queens Hospital) to another hospital because of her condition.
Both these events were on 30th March 1953.
Confused.....
Ken
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I applied for records for my great great aunt and was told that the Health Authority (Cumbria) only kept records for 10 years before destroying them.
Anna x
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Hi Ken
You can search the hospitals database for each of the hospitals and it should tell you what records, if any, are available and where they are http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/search.asp
Casalguidi
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Hi All,
Just a quick thank you to all for your help on this matter, received email today from registrar at Homerton Hospital advising that as there is no legal requirement or other legislation, the medical records are only kept for a period of 10 years after which time they are destroyed...... thanks again. Ken