UK medical records transferred to France?

[tonyfitz]

My wife and I will be relocating to France in the near future and we were wondering if we should arrange to get copies of medical records to take with us from the UK.  My wife has been getting treatment for about 20 years for back problems, usually just pain killers on a regular basis.  Does anyone have any knowledge of this issue? I was thinking it might be a good idea to get a hold of them and perhaps have them translated to take with us or is there some other kind of exhange of information mechanism already in place?

 

[Clair]

I asked my UK doctor the same question before moving to France and I was told the request would be considered ONLY if it came from a French doctor... even then, the file would be copied and forwarded at my cost.

[Jackie]

I asked my GP for a medical history and this was duly provided for a fee of about £15. The bog-roll print out was in English of course, so with the aid of a big dictionary I sat down and translated this into French. Most special medical terms are the same or similar. Apart from illness type and date the record gave regular medications, dosage and frequency. This, when presented, has caused no problems other than some mirth at my translation efforts! I have never been asked for proof of my on-going conditions, AS and Crohn's, I suppose the symptoms are all too obvious! Regular blood tests are no problem as are repeat prescriptions, valid for three visits to the chemist......Good luck........John not Jackie 

[Cat]

[quote]I asked my UK doctor the same question before moving to France and I was told the request would be considered ONLY if it came from a French doctor... even then, the file would be copied and forwarded ...[/quote]

I don't know when you moved to France Claire, but ever since the UK Data Protection Act came into play in 1998, patients have had the right to view their own medical records.

There is an interesting and informative piece on this on the Department of Health website

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/InformationPolicy/PatientConfidentialityAndCaldicottGuardians/AccessHealthRecordsFAQ/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4039714&chk=iOJNGp

[Iceni]

Cat, just because a law was passed in 98 does not mean you can get your records or will without a fight - I gave up. We were refused in 2002. I have a very sneaky suspicion that if you have ever had any problems with the NHS hell might freeze over before you get them (they almost killed me by inaction - I paid and got treated and John was told he would never walk again but is currently outside mowing and strimming a field and has managed with our carpenter to manhandle some very large beams for the mezzanine).

I get by with a very nice local doctor who does not like to over prescribe or even really prescribe at all and who now keeps an English/French medical dictionary on his desk as the English speaking contingent grows in our small local town. I always take a written French translation of my ailments in with me but luckily it has not been very often at all.

[Ron Avery]

[quote]I don't know when you moved to France Claire, but ever since the UK Data Protection Act came into play in 1998, patients have had the right to view their own medical records. There is an interesting ...[/quote]

Yes you can ask to see your medical records but they are still not your property.  I asked a similar question before I moved here and was told by a number of reliable posters that your medical records remain the property of the Department of Health.  Why would you want a copy anyway?

Your French GP does not want them and will not do anything with them, because under the current system of being able to go to any GP, French GPs do not keep patient records as we would recognise them, you keep your own

Under the new registration system,  French GP's will start keeping records on their patients from July 2005, records will be kept from that date on and NOT retrospectively.  When the carte vitale is replaced over the next five years it will have your medical records (from July 2005) encrypted on it.

[lisab]

As a medic myself I would say that for the usual run of throat infections, back ache, high blood pressure, headaches etc etc it really isn't worth the money or the aggravation to get a copy of your UK notes unless requested to by your new GP (unlikely).

If however, you have been unfortunate enough to have a serious ilness or operations, for cancer for example, then it may be of very great benefit to your new doctor and any specialists you might see, to know the exact diagnosis, staging etc. These are details of which you may be not entirely aware, (in the degree of detail that would be required).

A vaccination history is important for all, most especially for children. The schedules for vaccination vary considerably here. The UK practice may be able to provide a printout of these for little or no cost (but don't quote me!).

I think the rule should be to use common sense about the degree of severity of any past illness.

Hope that helps!

[Iceni]

Lisab, I fall into the category in your second paragraph as does my husband - my non diagnosis almost cost me my life. There was no way I was going to be given my notes - so I think that those with the odd sniffle and ache will get their records or those that have never had any problems with diagnosis. I was amazed with my history not to be offered even a copy but it was an absolute NO. Luckily I have worked in the NHS so can explain what John and I have had wrong with us, I pity those with no medical knowlege at all in this situation.

But to be honest, the service I received from the NHS over the last 10 years has been so dire that nothing surprises me.

[Will]

It's great to be able to say that things vary in England, just as they do in France. Judie and I were given a printout, no extra charge, of our old records by our former English GP (going back some 40 years or so) which our French doctor keeps in her card index (no computer records here yet) and she translated the various conditions, medications etc to the nearest French equivalent with the help of the local pharmacist.

[IAN_S]

If you want to see the Access to Health Records Act in all it's glory go to:

http://www.cfoi.org.uk/ahra90.html

It is a PDF file so you need Acrobat Reader, available as a free download on this site.

[Jo53]

Some French doctors don't seem too bothered about medical records. My young son had a fairly alarming medical episode - the symptoms were of a condition that can be serious, but cleared up and the doctor decided it was just a one-off. Unless it recurs. But I was shocked that the doctor wrote nothing at all in my son's carnet de sante. Luckily I have some medical understanding and I wrote the symptoms and the doctor's diagnosis in myself afterwards (it didn't occur to me to ask during the appointment, but I would have thought a doctor should automatically make a record of things of this kind). I thought the carnet de sante was meant to serve as one's medical records - or have I misunderstood?

[Ron Avery]

[quote]Some French doctors don't seem too bothered about medical records. My young son had a fairly alarming medical episode - the symptoms were of a condition that can be serious, but cleared up and the doc...[/quote]

French Doctors DO NOT keep medical records as we would know them. There is NO provision or requirement at the moment for them to do so.  What they do is make a  record of the treatment given.   Some GP's may have a file on their regulars, but this is not obligatory.  his is because at the moment, you do not have a GP and you can, as many French still do, go to as many Doctors as you like. 

 After July, this will change, when you only see your GP of choice, medical records will be kept, BUT NOT RETROSPECTIVELY.  So again, what is the point of bringing 40 years of medical records with you?  Quite rightly in my opinion, French Doctors are interested in what is wrong with you NOW, not whether you had an in-growing toenail when you were 6 

[tonyfitz]

Thanks to all who have posted advice and information based on their own individual experiences on this issue.  As usual, all very helpful and interesting.  It does seem a bit strange though as everything we have learned so far about french systems and practices would tend to suggest that they are very keen on bureacracy, forms and procedures.  When bringing your car, for example, you must bring all manner or previous history documentation etc.  I just thought it might be similar for one's personal medical history. Having said that I can understand why doctors in France would simply want to deal with you based upon presenting symptoms etc at any given time.

Thanks again.

[Will]

As far as I'm aware the carnet de santé applies to children and pets. We don't have one, though our cats do.

"French Doctors are interested in what is wrong with you NOW, not whether you had an in-growing toenail when you were 6" - probablly not, but if you had an adverse reaction to some standard medication, however long ago this was discovered, then it's as well for any doctor to know.

[Ron Avery]

[quote]As far as I'm aware the carnet de santé applies to children and pets. We don't have one, though our cats do. " French Doctors are interested in what is wrong with you NOW, not whether you had an in...[/quote]

" but if you had an adverse reaction to some standard medication, however long ago this was discovered, then it's as well for any doctor to know."

Bloody Hell Will, what are you on!!!  How would he know, he has NO RECORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What would you do if you were on holiday in Turkey, expect the doctors there to know that you have an allergy, No you tell him, just the same as you do here in France.  After July, it will be recorded on your records and in the next five years encoded on your Carte Vitale.

[Will]

"Bloody Hell Will, what are you on!!! ... How would he know, he has NO RECORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Language, Timothy. Try reading my posts above, if you did you would see that our doctor (who is a she by the way) does keep records. You are perfectly entitled to prefer your way of doing things; it just happens that I prefer our way.

 

 

[Suninfrance]

Similar experiences.

I had a brain haemorrhage in 2002 (luckily survived, if slightly confused and not running on all cylinders).  I wrote to the hospital in England that treated me and they have now sent me all my scan pictures and a great wad of notes that went with them. 

I wrote to my GP asking for copies of my general medical records only to receive a letter back from him saying they were the property of the Secretary of State (now I know what he reads at bedtime :hehe.

As a general rule, I agree that general illnesses, the French doctor doesn't really need to know about, but if you've had ops in the past, then yes, they need to know, along with allergic reactions to particular drugs, etc.  Would it not also be useful for the French doctor to know when you last had a tetanus booster, and other jabs?  It just seems a bit money grabbing for British GPs to charge for this info, after all, they are necessary for your well being.

Jan

[BJSLIV]

It just seems a bit money grabbing for British GPs

GPs are running a business like any other. If you want an additional service you pay for it.

Photocopying, or printing pages of case notes is no more a part of their NHS role , than is signing passport photos which is of course another chargeable service.