a grumble about archives.

[KGarrad]

Understandably, the NHS has to follow rules regarding access to confidential patient data.

See here:
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/access-to-someone-elses-medical-or-health-records.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=160

[Eilleen]

Thanks for that KGarrad.

so regarding dead people , it say's kept for 10 years then destroyed 

The papers for St John's mental hospital , much come under a different rule,

because He has been told He can see them in 2044 

[KGarrad]

The basic principle is that no one has the right to see another person's medical or mental health records!

All you can do is to ask - and the record keeper MAY allow access.
How much they charge for the privilege is up to them, I think?

Hospital records for "Mentally disordered persons within the meaning of any Mental Health Act" are normally retained for 20 years after the last contact.

[Eilleen]

And there lie's my point, 

people who are archiving them have a right to see them, but not family .

and don't say " well that's their job "

some of these archives are done by volunteer's 

and a very good job they do I might add        before I get removed from the site 

what I am saying from His point of view and mine . is that it is not fair 

[aghadowey]

"people who are archiving them have a right to see them, but not family" The people working in the Archives are not sitting around in the back reading the files (they will be stored and only pulled out when request is made) and the son is being allowed to get photocopies if he wishes to do so.

Each Archives will usually have policies and procedures to deal with requests from the public which include fees to charge. It may be that a large portion of the fee is to cover photocopying pages from the file and staff time needed to do the copying will likely be calculated as well.

[Eilleen]

 aghadowey , thank you for that explanation .

just because archiving give's them the right to see them , and not family .

does not mean that people like Me should not voice my opinion on how I feel about this .

and the son is being allowed to get photocopies if he wishes to do so. ??

has something happened since I spoke to him on the phone last night 


He received to type sheets of paper, the £40 charge was for asking the NHS  if they could release them, I have seen the two piece's of paper, it would make you weep to know you had been refused like that .

[ScouseBoy]

Understandably, the NHS has to follow rules regarding access to confidential patient data.

       The trouble is  that  when it comes to doctors giving verbal   information,  there is no consistency  from the medical profession.      Consequently,   many families  are not given accurate information to be able to care for  their relatives appropriately.

[ScouseBoy]

Eilleen,

If the gentleman is over the age of 65,   I suggest  that you request  he gets counselling  special to the over 65 age group.     

[aghadowey]

aghadowey , thank you for that explanation .

just because archiving give's them the right to see them , and not family .

does not mean that people like Me should not voice my opinion on how I feel about this .

and the son is being allowed to get photocopies if he wishes to do so. ??

has something happened since I spoke to him on the phone last night 

Your first post said-

...
someone checked and looked at the file's , found them ,requested £40 to release information after checking with NHS,
...