montrose royal lunatic asylum

[Forfarian]

Is Montrose Royal Lunatic Asylum the same as Sunnyside Asylum?

Yes.

[Carrie-Boyd]

You can apply for special permission for access to the records prior to the deadline of a hundred years.  Was able to access records of great uncle who died in the 1970s, but I did have original copies of requests regarding his original admission in 1930s.  Not all records will still exist however.  If you just want a reason for admission and a diagnosis and a general overview they may release the information without giving you access to the complete file.  Good luck.

[riogirl71]

Is Montrose Royal Lunatic Asylum the same as Sunnyside Asylum? I had a relative die there in 1871, contacted them as there is a museum of psychiatry there and received a photocopy of the case notes. A friend who is a psychiatrist read the notes and suggested that he probably died of meningitis and was not mad at all! Hope this helps.

Harrow - How did you contact them? I saw they closed I would like to do the same - thank you!

[ozzie mel]

I am trying to get very basic info regarding my grandfather who was admitted in1923 and died there in 1972. As I am next of kin his wife and children are deceased I would like to know why he was admitted. Hoping someone out there has some ideas.

[Forfarian]

There might be some problems with that because most hospital and asylum records are normally closed for 100 years.

I do not know whether there is flexibility to allow close family members access to more recent records, or where the information might help to establish a family pattern of a particular ailment which might be relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of living relatives.

Start with NHS Tayside Archives, which are held at the University of Dundee
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/archives/thecollections/

[Archivos]

The rules regarding access to medical records (especially those relating to mental health) can be confusing.  In general, adult patient records are closed for 75 years following the date of death, while those of minors are closed for 100 years.  If it can't be proven when someone died, then records will remain closed for 100 years.

Some archives have procedures in place for accessing records within those times, and will make decisions on a case-by-case basis.  You'll need to see what procedures NHS Tayside have in place for their records which are held by the University of Dundee Archives.  The Archives will be able to advise you on how to go about requesting access.

[ozzie mel]

Thank you both for your help. Sad to say NHS Tayside are sticking to the 100 year rule which is unfortunate as 2 g.g.grandchildren have medical issues that may relate to their g.g.grandfather condition. As I am in Australia it is very hard to speak with Tayside personally