Missing a medical report: who holds the record and how can you request it?

If an old medical report is missing, start by identifying the clinician or institution that produced it. Each clinician or hospital holds its own medical record; Mon espace santé and the Dossier Pharmaceutique do not replace those records.

Accessible documents include test results, reports and written exchanges between healthcare professionals. Some information concerning third parties is excluded. Note the hospital stay, consultation or period concerned and the documents you need to prepare a specific request.

Send the request to the independent clinician or the director of the institution holding the record. You can use a letter or email; your identity will be checked. Ask which channel and identity documents are required before sending personal information.

You can access the information directly or through a doctor you designate. Ask to read it on site or receive copies, according to your needs and the available arrangements. A hospital must offer support in understanding the record.

In the usual case, the information is provided no earlier than 48 hours and no later than eight days after the request. The period extends to two months for information more than five years old; some access involving psychiatric care has specific rules.

When the documents arrive, retain their dates and context to show the clinician continuing your care. A copy helps recover information; it does not replace an explanation. You can appoint a doctor as an intermediary for access to the record.