Retention of Records Policy - Library

Type of Health Record Minimum Retention Period Derivation Final action Codemeaning of the Mental Health Act 1983) 20 years after thelast entry in the record or 8 years after the patient’s deathif patient died while in the care of the organisationVaccination records (seeImmunisation andvaccination records)Video records/voicerecordings relating to patientcare/videoconferencingrecords (see alsoTelemedicine records andOut of hours records)Ward registers includingdaily bed returns (wherethey exist in paper format)X-ray films (other imageformats for all imaging8 years subject to the following exceptions:Children and young people:Records must be kept until the patient’s 25 th birthday, or ifthe patient was 17 at the conclusion of treatment, untiltheir 26 th birthday, or until 8 years after the patient’sdeath if soonerMaternity: 25 yearsMentally disordered persons:Records should be kept for 20 years after the date of lastcontact between patient/client/service user and anyhealthcare professional or 8 years after the patient’s deathif soonerCancer patients:Records should be kept until 8 years after the conclusionof treatment, especially if surgery was involved. The RoyalCollege of Radiologists has recommended that suchrecords be kept permanently where chemotherapy and/orradiotherapy was givenGuidance on use of videoconferencingin healthcare:http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites/documents/351/1_multipart_xF8FF_3_Guidance%20on%20the%20Use%20of%20Videoconferencing%20in%20Healthcare%20_Ve_.pdfThe teaching andhistorical value ofsuch recordingsshould beconsidered,especially whereinnovativeprocedures orunusual conditionsare involved.Video/videoconferencingrecords should beeither permanentlyarchived orpermanentlydestroyed byshredding orincineration(having due regardto the need tomaintain patientconfidentiality)2 years after the year to which they relate Likely to havearchival value.See note 17 years. SEE ALSO XRAY FILM RETENTION ANDDESTRUCTION POLICY – DMS ARTICLE 11842Guidance from the RoyalCollege of RadiologistsDestroy underconfidentialNCN.Page 32 of 57