Inaccurate NHS records are putting patients at risk, says Healthwatch England
From incorrect medication details to outdated addresses and missing referral notes, thousands of people across England have reported worrying errors in their health records.
Some of these issues have caused delays to treatment, repeat tests, misdiagnoses, and in a few cases, serious harm.
The two primary ways people believe inaccurate information about them got into their records are:
- Inaccurate notetaking by staff. There were concerns from people that staff do not always take sufficiently detailed and accurate notes, which can lead to important information not being entered into records or inaccurate information being recorded.
- The lack of integration between different healthcare services. There were multiple stories shared with Healthwatch England about records getting ‘lost’ between services. GP practices were a recurring theme, with people identifying the point at which they moved GP practice as when their record became incomplete.
Many patients only discover these mistakes by accident — for example, when requesting their records or preparing for a hospital appointment. Once spotted, correcting the error can be confusing and frustrating, especially when no clear process is in place. Some people described chasing their GP or hospital multiple times, only to find the same information still appearing in their records.
One person shared that their GP records incorrectly listed them as a smoker and drinker, which led to judgement from clinicians and delayed their treatment. Others spoke of missing allergy information or medication notes, which could have had life-threatening consequences.
The emotional toll is significant. People told Healthwatch they felt worried, ignored, and powerless. For many, trust in their local NHS service was shaken, and they feared similar mistakes could happen again.
What needs to change?
Healthwatch England is calling for:
- Easier access to patient records, so people can regularly check and update their information.
- Faster, clearer correction processes when errors are reported.
- Better communication between GPs, hospitals, and patients to ensure consistency and safety.
At Healthwatch Westminster we know how important it is for our residents to feel safe and confident when using health services. That includes being able to trust the information held about them — and knowing how to challenge it when something is wrong.
For more information, read the full article from Healthwatch England:
The extent and impact of inaccurate NHS patient records.
