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Record Type Retention starts Retention period Action at end of Notes
retention

should be destroyed. system. A log or ‘meta data stub’ should be
kept of records destroyed.

Mental Health Records Discharge or patient last 20 years or 8 years Review and if no longer Covers records made where the person has
seen after death needed destroy been cared for under the Mental Health Act
1983 as amended by the Mental Health Act
2007. This includes psychology records.
Retention solely for any persons who have
been sectioned under the Mental Health Act
1983 must be considerably longer than 20
years where the case may be ongoing. Very
mild forms of adult mental health treated in a
community setting where a full recovery is
made may consider treating as an adult
records and keep for 8 years after
discharge. All must be reviewed prior to
destruction taking into account any serious
incident retentions.

Record of long term Discharge or patient last 30 years or 8 years Review and if no longer Necessary for continuity of clinical care. The
illness or an illness seen after the patient has needed destroy primary record of the illness and course of
that may reoccur died treatment must be kept of a patient where
the illness may re-occur or is a life long
illness.

Delivering Quality Services – Information Governance Guidance 2