HOPESTAGE — REQUESTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS
An editable worksheet for adults requesting their own information.
General information, not legal or medical advice. Local rules and the
record holder's process apply. Sources checked: 13 October 2026.

Guide: https://www.hopestage.com/research/how-to-get-mental-health-records

1. FIND THE RECORD HOLDER
Service / clinic / hospital:
Clinician or team, if known:
Dates of care (approximate dates are a starting point):
Official website and records contact:

2. DEFINE YOUR REQUEST
Documents or date range I want:
My preferred format and any accessibility needs:
Do I want my own copy, a transfer to a clinician, or both?
Safe way to contact me:

3. MESSAGE TO ADAPT
Subject: Request for access to my health records

I would like access to my mental health records held by [service].
I received care from [team or clinician, if known] during [dates].
I am requesting [documents, or describe the information].
I would prefer [secure electronic copy, paper copy or another format].
Please tell me what you need to verify my identity, any expected fee,
and when I should receive a response. If a different organisation holds
these records, please let me know whom I should contact.

Use the service's official process. Send identifying details only through
the route it confirms. Keep a copy of the request for yourself.

4. TRACK THE REQUEST
Date sent:
Acknowledgement / reference number:
Identification or clarification the service needs:
Fee estimate and any waiver or cheaper format requested:
Expected response date and any explanation of an extension:
Follow-up contact:

5. CHECK THE RESPONSE
Documents received:
Documents or dates missing:
Reason given for any withheld information:
How to ask for a review or make a complaint:
Entries I want explained or reviewed for a possible correction:

6. FOLLOW-UP MESSAGE
I requested [information] on [date], reference [number].
I received [what arrived], but [specific document or date range] is missing.
Please confirm whether you hold it, whether anything is needed from me,
and the next step. If access is refused, please explain the reason and
how I can ask for a review.

Keep the completed worksheet and any records in a private place.
This downloaded file does not transmit your notes to HopeStage.
If you need care or medication advice now, contact your care team directly;
do not wait for a records request to be completed.