In her written statement, Caroline Leonard described how records were transferred to microfilm and microfiche from hospitals that no longer operated in Northern Ireland, with hard copy documents being destroyed. Read more about In her written statement, Caroline Leonard described how records were transferred to microfilm and microfiche from hospitals that no longer operated in Northern Ireland, with hard copy documents being destroyed.
Suzanne Rankin, chief executive officer of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, acknowledged that documents may have been destroyed as part of the Health Board's restructuring. Read more about Suzanne Rankin, chief executive officer of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, acknowledged that documents may have been destroyed as part of the Health Board's restructuring.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board found a letter confirming a policy allowing for the destruction of records of patients who had not attended for treatment in over 8 years, or 25 years for obstetrics and paediatrics. Read more about Cardiff and Vale University Health Board found a letter confirming a policy allowing for the destruction of records of patients who had not attended for treatment in over 8 years, or 25 years for obstetrics and paediatrics.
Louise Williams, archivist at the Lothian Health Services Archives, admitted that following NHS re-organisation in the early 1990s documents may have been destroyed. Read more about Louise Williams, archivist at the Lothian Health Services Archives, admitted that following NHS re-organisation in the early 1990s documents may have been destroyed.
Alistair Tough described the process for archiving, including the fact that only original documents are transferred to the archive repository and some have been digitised and made available for remote access. Read more about Alistair Tough described the process for archiving, including the fact that only original documents are transferred to the archive repository and some have been digitised and made available for remote access.
In his written statement Dr Alexander Crowe explained how medical records are now registered on the Trust's Patient Administration System. Read more about In his written statement Dr Alexander Crowe explained how medical records are now registered on the Trust's Patient Administration System.
An anonymous witness was unable to obtain a full set of his medical records, initially being told that they had been shredded and then later told that they had been placed on microfiche. Read more about An anonymous witness was unable to obtain a full set of his medical records, initially being told that they had been shredded and then later told that they had been placed on microfiche.
An anonymous witness stated that when they contacted their hospital to obtain their medical records they were told they were "lucky as they should have been destroyed three years ago". Read more about An anonymous witness stated that when they contacted their hospital to obtain their medical records they were told they were "lucky as they should have been destroyed three years ago".
A policy document entitled "Development and Management of Procedural Documents" was published by Lancashire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust setting out arrangements for developing and managing documents. Read more about A policy document entitled "Development and Management of Procedural Documents" was published by Lancashire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust setting out arrangements for developing and managing documents.
Louise Williams, on behalf of the Lothian Health Board, provided evidence to the Inquiry confirming the board currently followed national guidance and provided current policies on document destruction. Copies of older policies were not available. Read more about Louise Williams, on behalf of the Lothian Health Board, provided evidence to the Inquiry confirming the board currently followed national guidance and provided current policies on document destruction. Copies of older policies were not available.