Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

HSC 1999/053: For the record - managing records in NHS Trusts and health authorities

  • Document type:
    Health service circular
  • Author:
    Department of Health
  • Published date:
    19 March 1999
  • Primary audience:
    Professionals
  • Gateway reference:
    1999
  • Series number:
    HSC 1999/053
  • Pages:
    9
  • Superseded by:
  • Copyright holder:
    Crown copyright

The primary function of this circular is to improve the management of NHS records in Health Authorities and NHS Trusts. The circular: sets out the legal obligations for all NHS bodies to keep proper records; explains the actions needed from Chief Executives and other managers to fulfil these obligations; provides guidelines on good practice; explains the requirements to select records for permanent preservation; lists suggested minimum periods for retention of NHS records; and indicates where further information may be found.

This circular replaced and cancelled HC(89)20 and HSG(94)11.

HSC 1999/053 was replaced by Records management: NHS code of practice: Parts 1 and 2 (April 2006)

Records management NHS Code of Practice Consultation 2005

Consultation on  proposals to replace the guidance in this circular with a new Records Management: NHS Code of Practice, covering all types of NHS records regardless of the media on which they are held took place from 30 June 2005 to 30 September 2005.

Records management: NHS code of practice: Parts 1 and 2  was published 6 April 2006

Additional links

Ordering publications

Contact details for obtaining hard-copy DH publications.

Help viewing PDFs

Help viewing PDFs

Useful tips to ensure you get the most from PDFs and the free Reader program. Topics covered include accessibility, troubleshooting and searching files.

Access keys