The computerised and paper records held about you are never retained longer than is necessary. The Department of Health and Social Care ensures this by issuing retention periods for a variety of documents.
How long are records kept for?
Since 1998 an image of all patients’ records who have not attended the hospital for four years has been recorded, this image will be retained for 30 years. Once the records have been imaged the paper copy is destroyed.
Exceptions
- Deceased patients’ records are destroyed after 8 years unless the patient is a child, and then the records will be retained until the date when the child would have reached the age of 25.
- Records belonging to the mothers of children who have passed away under the age of 25.
- Obstetric patients’ records are retained for 25 years and psychiatric patients’ records are retained for 20 years, regardless of whether the patient is deceased or not.
- Accident and Emergency cards are destroyed after 8 years.
- Any records subject to a Freedom of Information request will be retained until the request has been processed.
- Any records marked by a consultant as ‘Do not destroy’.
How is confidential information destroyed?
Paper records that contain confidential information are shredded or incinerated when they are no longer required.