My experience from the Health Sector will not inspire you with
confidence in microfilming. I came to the Trust as Medical Records
Manager five years ago, and found drawers full of microfilmed health
records. The hospital did not have a scanner, and no record of what had
been microfilmed, it had all been done so long ago. The only equipment
we could access was in the Council offices.
Now, 5 years on, we still don't know what we're holding, and I believe
the council offices no longer have microfilm scanner, so we can't
retrieve the information locally at all. We could I presume send them
off (as vast cost) somewhere to find out.
The longer I work in records management, the more I am becoming a
luddite. Paper has its own problems (believe me, we do know about it in
health records!), but after 10's, 100's indeed thousands of years you
can still access it (if it's survived the mice, flood and fire) - no
fancy equipment required, just a good pair of eyes.
Technology is a wonderful thing, but you do have to think about whether
the medium you transfer your info to will still be supported in 10 years
time - will you still be able to get hold of the information when you
need it?
Anne
Anne Gadsden AHRIM
Information Governance Officer
Information Services Department
North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Cumberland Infirmary
Carlisle CA2 7HY
01228 814074 (direct line)
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>>> Helen Parry <[log in to unmask]> 14/11/2005 03:35:39
>>>
I was recently appointed to a post which involves responsibility for a
records management function. The post of records manager is currently
vacant following the post holder's resignation.
We are about to relocate the records centre and I wish to take the
opportunity to carry out a review of our microfilming service, given
that
the machines are extremely old and there are questions regarding the
future
availability of parts and maintenance.
None of our neighbouring authorities carry out this function I was
wondering what the alternatives are in terms of long-term records
preservation, and whether there is any information available about the
cost-
effectiveness of microfilming compared with other methods.
Any information would be most gratefully accepted.
Many thanks
Helen Parry
Information Manager
Gwynedd Council
Caernarfon Gwynedd
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