Health board admits mental health and disability patient records 'missing'

NHS Tayside apologised to patients for the missing paperwork and that 'extensive searches' have been unsuccessful.

NHS Tayside launches investigation after mental health and disability patient records go missing — Missing: NHS Tayside said it offered those affected a 'sincere apology'. NHS

1st Sep 2023

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A Scottish health board has launched an investigation after the records of some of its patients were declared missing.

NHS Tayside said the paperwork included information on people’s mental health and learning disabilities.

It said “extensive searches” to find the missing documents have proven unsuccessful.

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “Following the discovery that a number of patients’ paper records relating to mental health and learning disability could not be found, NHS Tayside commissioned an investigation.

“As part of this investigation, significant time was spent undertaking multiple, extensive searches in an effort to find the records across our facilities.

“They have not been located at this time and therefore they have been declared as missing.”

Health bosses in the area have written directly to affected patients to offer them a “sincere apology”.

“Our clinical staff have also undertaken a review into the information that has been lost for each individual patient,” the spokesperson added.

“Patient records are held in both electronic and paper formats and patients have been reassured that their e-records are safe and secure.

“We have already made robust changes to the way paper medical records are tracked between premises and when in transit to minimise the chance of this situation happening again.”