Key points

  • Specialists need the latest reports first, then the history.
  • Original imaging files are far more useful than a written report alone.
  • Share records securely, and only with the people reviewing the case.

Specialists often receive a phone gallery of blurred photographs and a dozen unlabelled PDFs. They can work with that, but it takes longer and important details get missed. A clear, complete set of records leads to a faster and more reliable opinion.

What to collect

Recent clinical notes. The latest consultation notes, referral letters and any discharge summaries from hospital stays.

Test results. Blood tests and other investigations, especially recent ones and any that track a change over time.

Imaging. Scans such as CT, MRI, PET-CT and X-rays. Ask the diagnostic centre for the images themselves, usually on a disc or as a download in DICOM format, not just the written report. Specialists often want to look at the images directly.

Pathology. Biopsy and histopathology reports. For some conditions, especially cancer, the reviewing hospital may ask for the original slides or tissue blocks to be sent for its own review.

Medicines. A current list with names, doses and how often they are taken.

A short summary. One page, written by the family or the local doctor, giving the main diagnosis, the treatment so far, and the question you want answered.

How to order and name files

  • Put the most recent documents first.
  • Name each file with the date and what it is, for example 2026-09-14 MRI brain report.pdf.
  • Combine multi-page reports into one file rather than one photograph per page.
  • If you photograph paper records, use good light, include the whole page and make sure the text is readable.

Sharing records securely

Medical records are sensitive. Share them only with the people reviewing the case, and avoid sending them to general email addresses or large group chats. When we coordinate a case, we send families a secure upload link and share records with hospitals only with consent. Our privacy notice explains how we handle them.

Language

Records in languages other than English may need translation before an Indian hospital can review them. See interpreters and language support and, for international patients, sending medical records to hospitals in India.