I’m not sure if my question is in the right place but I just wondered if there was any standard as to whether you automatically get copies of hospital letters/scans etc.
My friend was diagnosed with BC last year, same hospital as me, different consultants, and she gets copies of all her GP letters. I was diagnosed nearly 7 years ago and never got anything. I have just had to go back to the hospital recently and again, no copy of any letters. Is this just down to personal differences between consultants?
Hi
In my hospital there is a sign on the wall both in waiting area and consulting room which says. -“after this consultation your consultant will write to your GP…if you would like a copy of this letter then please tell us.” I try to remember but sometimes I have forgotten and have not received a copy. When i mentioned this to my BCN she said that I need to ask each time. She also said that you would think that there would be some way of programming computer to automatically send each copy after the initial request, but - at my hospital - there is not.
I requested copies of my scan and post op histology reports sometime after consultations I had to pay for them. I rang PALS at my hospital and they gave the telephone number of the records dept. who supplied them after receiving my cheque (£10.00)
My oncologist only gave me copies of my letters when I asked her. Although my rheumatologist and respiratory consultants have always sent me a copy of their letters. Perhaps you should ask for copies next time you go. I got mine back dated to the beginning of my treatment even though I had actually finished chemo.
I agree - not everyone wants to see the letters. However, I do, so I always ask and have always received copies and they ae quite useful to look back on for follow-up appointments and I think, in the early days of my diagnosis having letters to look at help get my head round it all. It seems to be standard practice at some hospitals but not others. I also obtained copies of my pathology and other reports, via the BCN, no question of having to pay fo them. How ridiculous to have to pay - what if you can’t afford to pay, would they with-hold information to which you are entitled?. Surely it costs more than £10 to process a cheque for £10 anyway.
The NICE guidelines say that all patients should be sent copies of all path and/or histology reports I.e. copies of any letters your consultant sends to your GP. My clinic does this as a matter of course.
Of course some folk do not want all this info - so put the letter in the bin/on the fire, but better, save it in the drawer. The important point is that WE can have control over the information about OUR bodies: we can read it or not, as we choose.
Other consultants in other specialisms do not automatically send the patient copies of letters to GPS, so I always ask at the surgery and get copies that way.
The important aspect of this is that we are entitled to know what other people are writing about us: after all, if I write a reference for someone I will give them a copy because I consider that a professionals way to behave.
As far as I’m aware you are given the choice of receiving copies of letters between the consultant and your GP, there was a form I signed when first diagnosed but its my understanding you can request such a form and you will then receive copies of the letters. If in doubt just ask at your next appointment, I’m sure they’ll be only too happy to help you.