Transformation Directorate

Updates to the Records Management Code of Practice

Published 19 September 2023


A summary of updates and amendments made since the Records Code of Practice was published in 2021.

May 2024

Update to Appendix II, retention schedule – GP patient records: living patients section has been reworded to make it clearer.

October 2023

A summary of amendments made in October 2023:

  • references to 'Shared Care Records programme' updated to 'Connecting Care Records programme'
  • link to NHSE’s Universal IG templates added
  • references to 'Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport' updated to 'Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology'
  • list of active inquiries updated

August 2023

A summary of amendments made up to August 2023:

  • list of active inquiries updated
  • retention period for dental clinical care records reduced from 15 to 11 years
  • passage added noting that approval from the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is required for retaining records for more than 20 years (with some exemptions)
  • references to CCGs / NHSX / NHS Digital removed
  • broken links replaced