How to Report Medical Records Falsification in the UK

Introduction

When you visit a doctor or receive mental health treatment, you trust that your medical records are truthful and accurate. They are the written history of your care — vital for your safety, diagnosis, and future treatment.But across the UK, there are growing reports of medical records falsification, especially within psychiatric and NHS settings.

This article explains how to recognise falsified records, your rights under UK law, when falsification becomes a criminal matter, and how to report it — including to the police.

What Is Medical Records Falsification?

Medical records falsification happens when healthcare professionals intentionally alter, destroy, or create misleading entries in a patient’s file.

Common examples include:

• Changing or backdating entries

• Deleting references to patient complaints or injuries

• Writing fabricated observations (“patient calm” instead of “patient distressed”)

• Forging signatures or witness statements

• Adding untrue personal details to discredit the patient

These actions are not administrative errors — they represent a serious breach of professional ethics and may also be criminal offences.

Why It Happens

While most healthcare professionals are ethical, falsification can occur when individuals or organisations attempt to:

• Conceal malpractice or patient abuse

• Protect the reputation of an NHS Trust or clinician

• Avoid legal action or complaints

• Influence psychiatric evaluations or discharge decisions

• Cover up medication errors or restraint injuries

Such misconduct not only damages trust — it can also destroy evidence vital to patient safety and justice.

When Falsification Crosses the Line Into a Crime

Most falsified records are initially treated as a disciplinary or regulatory issue, but serious cases can breach UK criminal law.

⚖️ Legal Threshold for Criminality

Under UK law, falsification becomes criminal when there is clear evidence that:

1. The person knew the information was false,

2. They intended to mislead or gain an advantage, and

3. Their actions caused or risked serious harm.

   
   

This conduct may fall under:

• Fraud Act 2006 (Section 2) – making a false representation to cause loss or gain.

• Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 – creating or using a false document intending it to be accepted as genuine.

• Perverting the Course of Justice – where altered records are used to mislead investigations or courts.

Example (Generic Scenario)

Imagine a mental health clinician alters a patient’s file to erase notes about a reported assault, instead writing that the patient “self-harmed.”If investigators prove the clinician knew this was false and altered the document to avoid blame, it could constitute criminal fraud and forgery, alongside professional misconduct.

In such cases, both police and regulatory bodies can pursue action.

How to Access and Review Your Medical Records

Before reporting falsification, obtain a copy of your full records.

Step 1: Make a Subject Access Request (SAR)

You have the right under the Data Protection Act 2018 to see your medical notes.Write to your NHS Trust or GP Practice and request:

“All medical records, including mental health notes, correspondence, and digital records, from [date range].”

Providers must respond within one month and provide the information free of charge (except for excessive requests).

Step 2: Review Your Records

Look for signs of falsification:

• Missing or edited entries

• Dates that don’t match other documents

• Language that misrepresents your statements

• Contradictions between reports or discharge summaries

• Unexplained alterations or handwriting inconsistencies

Keep copies of all versions of your records and correspondence.

How to Report Falsified Medical Records in the UK

If you suspect your records have been altered, follow these steps carefully:

1️⃣ Raise an Internal Complaint

Start by writing to the NHS Trust’s Complaints Department or Practice Manager.Include:

• A timeline of what happened

• Specific examples of altered entries

• Copies of any supporting documents or witness statementsRequest an internal investigation under the NHS Complaints Procedure.

  
  

2️⃣ Escalate to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

If your complaint isn’t resolved, contact the ICO, which enforces data accuracy and privacy under the Data Protection Act 2018.Website: https://ico.org.uk

3️⃣ Report to the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The CQC oversees NHS care standards. They can investigate if the falsification relates to broader misconduct, abuse, or safeguarding failures.

4️⃣ File a Report with the General Medical Council (GMC)

If you believe a doctor was involved, you can report directly to the GMC, which can suspend or remove practitioners for falsification or unethical conduct.

👮‍♀️ Involving the Police

If you have strong evidence that your medical records were deliberately altered to mislead or conceal harm, you can report it as a criminal offence.

When to Contact the Police

• The falsification caused or covered up serious harm.

• You can demonstrate intent — not a clerical mistake.

• The altered record was used to obstruct justice, mislead investigators, or damage your reputation.

How to Report

1. Visit your local police station or call 101 (999 in emergencies).

2. State that you want to report fraudulent alteration of medical records or forgery of medical documents.

3. Bring evidence: copies of records, letters, metadata, or witness statements.

4. Request a crime reference number and keep it for your records.

The police may refer your case to a specialist economic crime unit or public-protection team for investigation.

Parallel reporting to the CQC and ICO helps build a stronger evidential case.

Strengthening Your Case

To improve your credibility and case strength:

• Keep an unbroken paper trail of communication

• Record dates, names, and responses

• Use certified copies when possible

• Avoid altering or annotating original records yourself

• Seek legal advice early — especially if harm, injury, or defamation occurred

Your Rights and Next Steps

You have the right to:

• Access your full records

• Request corrections or deletions of false information

• Report falsification to police and regulators

• Pursue compensation if falsification caused harm

If you need help, contact advocacy organisations such as Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, or Healthwatch England. They can guide you through complaints and support processes.

Conclusion

Medical records falsification in the UK is not just unethical — it can be criminal when done deliberately to deceive or conceal harm.By gathering evidence, understanding your rights, and escalating to the correct authorities — including the police — you can protect yourself and others from future misconduct.

Truth in medical documentation isn’t optional; it’s a cornerstone of justice and patient safety.