Access to medical record

[tabia s]

I would like to see the medical record for my great grandfather who died at The London County Asylum, Banstead, in 1915. Would I be able to see the record under The Freedom of Information Act and how would I go about it? I live abroad and am not planning to go to London again until after the summer so all contact would have to be either on the net or post.

I think this question as been posted on the forum before but I canīt find it. Grateful for any help, ideas etc. 

[janan]

A few years ago I got the records of my g grandfather who died in Three Counties Asylum Bedfordshire in 1915  by writing to the current NHS Trust responsible for Mental Health in the area asking for their permission in writing, I then emailed a copy of  their letter to the Bedfordshire Records Office with my request. I had no problems with the trust or the records office but I know other people have had difficulties in other areas.

This is the RO I think you want for Banstead

http://www.ancestor-search.info/CRO-Surrey.htm

and the relevant NHS trust

http://www.sabp.nhs.uk/

By the way the records do make for very sad reading but I am glad to have them all the same
Jan

[tabia s]

Thanks very much for the information Janan, much appreciated. Itīs easier than I first thought so I feel more optimistic.  I have his death certificate so I know the causes of death and they are sad reading, however, we would like to know more.

[janan]

 Good luck 

Jan

[dawnsh]

Hi

The surviving patient records are deposited at the London Metropolitan Archives.

http://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll/2200/2/1/7677?RECORD

There are access restrictions of 100 years, not just from the death of the patient but from the last entry in the relevant register.

I suggest you make an enquiry directly to the LMA to see if there is any way of obtaining access. They may make a charge for the research but not for providing an answer to your enquiry.

Dawn

[janan]

Sorry for misleading you about which Records Office holds the records for Banstead Asylum - I see now that  although Banstead is in Surrey the asylum was run by Middlesex. Here is an  old thread which has some interesting info

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,220480.0.html

Jan

[LizzieW]

At least if you can't see the records now, it's not long until 2015.  In the case of my g.uncle who went into an asylum in 1907 and stayed there until his death in 1968.  I was allowed a copy of the entry page of his records and the first few entries until mid 1907 and then nothing else!  I keep thinking I'll contact the archivist again and ask for more records up to 1912.

Lizzie

[tabia s]

No problem Janan, we all make mistakes. Thanks for the link, it has been useful.

[tabia s]

Thanks Dawnsch, iīll get in touch with them. I didnīt know the access restriction also applied to the  last entry in the relevant register, hope iīll be lucky though.
Tabia