Thirteen members of the health records service for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust have attained qualifications from The Institute of Health Records & Information Management after following study courses alongside their work.

The Trust has always been keen to encourage its health records team members to develop their individual skills and knowledge, which has paid off with an excellent track record of consistently achieving national accreditation of their service.

The department itself has bases at all three of the Trusts hospitals, Royal Cornwall, St Michael's and West Cornwall, and as well as looking after more than 750,000 health records and x-rays.

The health records service of around 100 staff provides clinic preparation, reception, library and clinical coding services.

The Institute of Health Records & Information Management is an internationally recognised professional body and offers a wide range of qualifications from basic certificates in technical competence through to a diploma and onto a degree.

There is also a specialist qualification for clinical coding, which is the area of work that records each patient's treatment and determines how much the Trust is paid for that episode of care.

At an awards ceremony last week, Trust chairman, Professor Colin Roberts, presented certificates to the latest achievers.

"Although a behind the scenes role, our health records service provides vital support to our clinical staff and the everyday running of the hospital. Thousands of medical records have to be in the right place every day and clinics need to be efficiently run. Our health records teams are extremely committed and their willingness to study and achieve recognised professional standards is a clear indication of their desire to play their part in maintaining high standards of care for our patients," said Colin.

The qualifications involve work based assessments or examinations that are externally assessed or marked.

Certificates in Technical Competence at Basic Level were awarded to Rachel Tremayne, Christine Ford and Susan Giles; at Supervisory Level to Astryd Lyntton, Jennifer Philp, Helen Henwood and Claire Parsons, Susannah Coleman and Catherine Barnett; and a Foundation Certificate to Nicholas Richards and Christine Fittock. Clinical Coding qualifications were awarded to Lynn Tuffery and Michelle Jose.

Records Service Manager, Kim Bellis added "Teamwork is key to providing an efficient records service and The Institute's qualifications help us to offer a structured career pathway for all our staff. We have many staff who have already attained qualifications at varying levels and they in turn support and encourage their colleagues". Many members of staff who started at a basic level have progressed through into Supervisory and Management roles supported by these qualifications.