NHS staff and patient confidentiality ??

[natalielongstaff]

I have become aware of a member of NHS staff in our local hospital who is gaing access to patient records (to be nosy not in the course of her job) She has apparently read the notes taken when my ds broke his arm ...at school

Am i right about feeling uneasy about this ? and what should i do !

 

[The Fetherstons]

Oh Nat thats not right, I would feel uneasy to,I think that if you work in any place where personal details are kept it should remain confidential within the work place and not talked about outside.

Not sure who you would contact tho

 

[carolfoy]

contact the director of the hospital, my mums a cleaner at the local surgery and even she had to sign the official secrets act in case she ever came across papers that gave patient info. Any breach of confidentiality is an immediate sacking offence

 

[~Fisharefriends~]

that is a breach of patient confidentialty and should be reported. your hospitals should have something called PALs which is the patient advice and liason service, you could contact them and see what advice they offer.

 

[PoppyAnna]

that is a breach of patient confidentialty and should be reported. your hospitals should have something called PALs which is the patient advice and liason service, you could contact them and see what advice they offer.

This is good advice and a good route to take.

Natalie,
I was fairly senior in the IT dept of what was then the second largest trust in England and believe me, Medical records and patient confidentiality is something that the NHS has tried to get really serious about in the last ten years. However, I am sad to say it's not always working.
I've never understood a individual persons wish to inform themselves about anothers medical records but sadly, it does happen
I could tell you some shocking stories with regards to how paper medical records are moved around and between hospitals so nothing surprises me
You may have heard that the country has a massive National project to only have electronic patient records which should help, but unfortunately due to staff turnover and the pressures on staff, passwords are frequently shared
The conclusion is, sadly, medical records are not taken seriously enough - I can't tell you how many times I've been in public lifts with Doctors and Consultants openly discussing patients - and yes, I pulled them on it and mentioned "best practice" to them and they were always suitably embarrassed. Unfortunately, it runs through all levels of the NHS.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[mandymouse]

I would be uneasy too Nat, and I would have to report her to someone

Let us know what you decide to do

 

[jockey]

Nat, that is awful she should not be allowed to do that

 

[natalielongstaff]

Thanks everyone, im glad its not just me who feels this isn't right...im not sure im brave enough to report her either

I will let you know what i decide

 

[Pinky166]

I would definately report her Natalie. You must be able to do it anonymously?

 

[~Piglet~]

In our PCT (and I would imagine it is the same for every PCT in the Country) we have a complaints manager, who handles complaints on every subject for the whole PCT. If you ring your local Hospital switchboard and ask, they should be able to tell you the name of the person to write to (whenever we get complaints over the phone we always request they be submitted in writing). HTH

 

[Chilly]

You can be brave Natalie - we believe in you

 

[Clare D]

I agree that this is not acceptable and an abuse of her position. Would you feel more confident about approaching her directly and advising her that she is breach of all contracts she has signed before officially reporting her?

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Yes, Natalie, my friend works at the nhs in the legal dept,she is a secratery, when my friend ruth died in hosp I phoned her that night to tell her and she knew,she said she had been checking on her??!! this made me very uneasy, you know even when you were a vet nurse you would NEVER discuss client stuff, and if you did you would never mention a name, this is not on and I would feel cheesed off with this but unfortunatly it seems they do it and are stupid enough to admit to it!

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

My in laws next door neighbour worked in our local hospitals records department and she told them she knew all about our sons medical condition he had when he was born. I was extremely angry at the time and wished I done something about it. She has moved to Wales now to supposedly run a campsite, maybe she is in the right job to chat as she obviously loves it! I would follow it up you may regret not doing so, I do!

 

[higgy66]

My MIL works at a hospital and has a "nosey" at everyone she knows!

One of the bonus's of moving a few miles away meant we moved to a diferent district so I can go to a different hospital. I would dread going to her hospital as my notes would be relayed to all the inlaws!!

I think it's terrible and I would report the person I know if she wasn't my MIL. We don't get on as it................

 

[catherine]

that is a breach of patient confidentialty and should be reported. your hospitals should have something called PALs which is the patient advice and liason service, you could contact them and see what advice they offer.

I totally agree! I'm a staff nurse at our local hospital and I would never dream of looking at people's medical records, unless they are the records of one of our patients and it's required! That's a sackable offence

 

[KayleeUK]

I would definately speak up Nat.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Same as everyone else Nat-tell someone.I am pretty sure you can do it annon as well.x.

 

[UKDEB]

I worked for a major UK bank for 28 years and this situation strikes me as identical to the one banks' employees are bound by. That's to say you can only access the accounts of customers in the normal course of your duties. Many people were disciplined and/or sacked for looking at the accounts of celebrities, football clubs, MPs and the like. One of the downsides to technical progress, I guess.

Grass her up, Nat!

 

[jjk]

I would definately speak up Nat.

me too