Healthwatch England has raised the alarm over the risks posed by inaccurate medical records as research reveals widespread errors in NHS patient information.
Commissioned by Healthwatch England and conducted by BMG Research, the survey polled a representative sample of 1,800 adults in England between 24 and 27 March 2025.
It found that nearly one in four adults (23%) had noticed inaccuracies or missing details in their medical records.
“Accurate information about patients in the NHS is essential,” said Healthwatch England, warning that “inaccurate information can, in extreme cases, result in serious harm or even death.”
Common errors
The majority of those who had spotted errors found missing information in their records. However, some respondents reported more serious mistakes, such as incorrect personal details—including names or dates of birth—or errors in their medical history.
“Incorrect information can cause both inconveniences and represent a clinical risk to individuals,” Healthwatch England warned.
Among those who reported inaccuracies:
- 26% said their personal details were wrong.
- 16% noticed inaccurate information about the medication they had taken.
- 9% said there was a record of a condition they did not have.
- 9% reported treatments listed in their records that they had never received.
Missing information
When it comes to missing information,
- 29% said diagnosed health conditions were not listed in their records.
- Another 29% reported missing important information from their medical history, such as such as periods of serious ill health or time spent in hospital.
Additionally, nearly one in five (19%) of those who have noticed inaccuracies said all details before a certain date are missing in their record.
Impact of inaccurate records
The impact of inaccurate patient medical records is far-reaching. Fewer than one in five (17%) of those who noticed errors in their records said it hadn’t impacted them.
The majority reported at least some negative impact:
- 26% said they frequently had to repeat their medical history to healthcare staff during appointments
- 20% had struggled to convince healthcare staff of medical issues not recorded in their file.
- 13% missed out on important tests or treatments due to incorrect information.
- 12% were refused treatment because of inaccurate or missing information.
- 10% received incorrect or inappropriate medication.
- 9% received potentially unsafe care or treatment.
Beyond healthcare
The impact of inaccurate records extends beyond medical care.
Over one in eight (13%) of those who noticed errors in their record said the issue had affected other areas of their life—such as legal matters, insurance, or benefit claims.
One respondent reported difficulty obtaining Personal Independence Payment (PIP) due to missing information in their medical records.
Healthwatch also raised concerns about potential confidentiality breaches.
Some patients discovered that their records contained information about someone else—often a family member with a similar name—raising serious General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and privacy concerns.
Inaccurate records not only lead to inefficiencies that frustrate patients, but also result in wasted NHS resources, the watchdog added.
Why do these errors happen?
The survey revealed two main causes:
- Inaccurate notetaking by staff.
- Lack of integration between different healthcare services
“Inaccuracies are often due to human error,” said Healthwatch, acknowledging the significant pressure that healthcare professionals face, but stressed the need to improve the working culture and service conditions.
Call to action
Healthwatch England is calling for three key actions to address the issue:
- Improved record-keeping practices across the NHS.
- Promotion of people’s rights to get records amended.
- Clearer guidance for patients about how to change incorrect records.
Healthwatch England pointed out that their research only reflects those who are aware of inaccuracies in their records, suggesting that many more individuals may have inaccurate records without realising it.
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