The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7369 p399
1 October 2005

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Scotland consults on retention and disposal of health records

How long personal health records should be kept is the subject of a consultation by the Scottish Executive Health Department published last month. One issue highlighted is the retention of records kept by community pharmacists.

The consultation is to inform new guidance that will be issued to NHS Scotland on the management of personal health records, both paper-based and computer-based. The guidance aims to improve standards, standardise practice across Scotland and give support to staff as they move from paper records to computer records. The SEHD says that new guidance is necessary to take into account recent developments, such as changes in legislation and its eHealth strategy to set up a single electronic health record. The guidance will also address patients’ views and current problems associated with storage of paper records.

The consultation asks for views on the retention of records kept by primary care health professionals, including community pharmacists, dentists and optometrists. It also says that the SEHD is keen to explore the issues and opportunities electronic storage of personal health information might bring and asks about factors that need to be considered for the management of electronically stored health records.

The consultation is open to patients and health care professionals and responses should be received by 30 November. An online consultation form can be completed at the SEHD website (accessible via www.pjonline. com/links/pj) or responses can be posted to Anita Maison, Scottish Executive Health Department, Basement Rear, St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG.