Is this in breach of the data Protection Act.

impy78

I had a call yesterday from some of those dreadful ambulance type chasers - the company was called "Clear claim", and were based in Liverpool. (The number of the company is 0151 7072125, and they appear to run several different types of [strike]nuisance[/strike] cold calling companies)

Now, I was a bit upset by this, as not only is my number listed with TPS (and has been for about a year), they knew who I was, and that my brother had been in a road traffic accident, and said that they had got my phone number from the hospital, as I was down as one of the next of kin!!! :mad:

I did not shout at the caller, remained calm and politely advised her I was not interested; after all, she was just doing a job, and had probably just been given some numbers to call. But I cannot strees how upset I am that my details are being passed around so freely BY A HOSPITAL.

But how is this allowed? I thought when I gave my number to the hospital this was to be used in case of them needing to contact me in an emergency? Or am I missing something?

Bogof_Babe

That's disgraceful. Take it up with the hospital. Whatever happened to patient confidentiality? :mad:

hollydays

The thing with the hospital is very alarming-see what others say but the only thing that springs to mind was did you or him sign any form that allowed them to pass info on to third parties.I would speak to the hospital asap.

impy78

I didn't sign anything, any kind of wiaver that I was aware of.

ben500

Have you asked the hospital in question if this is true?

impy78

Didn't think of that. I wil tomorrow.

But even if the info came from the hospital, shouldn't the company be checking the numbers against the TPS register before using them?

Astaroth

It used to be the case that ambulance chasers would pay for a hospitals printing/ make donations to them so that they could advertise in the hospital (often on the back of appointment cards/ posters etc). I know that some would also get the hospital to give out the companies registration cards to patients and I am sure that some patients will have filled them in without reading them assuming they were to do with the hospital and not a 3rd party company.

There was a backlash about this activity a couple of years ago as some of the companies were putting up posters about suing the very hospital they were in for medical negligence and a recommendation was put forward that hospitals did not accept this form of sponsorship any more but as far as I am aware it was simply a recommendation and not a legal requirement.

The TPS is only for unsolicitated calls, I am sure their arguement would be that if you or your brother gave them the details that it was no unsolicitated.

Paul1_2

Raise a formal complaint with PALS at the hospital concerned, if they have passed this information then the have breached both Data Protection and Caldicott Guidelines and this needs to be investigated.

Paul1

hjb123

When someone last cold called our house - we are on the TPS register too - I politely asked their name and what company they were working for before telling them I was registered with the TPS and would be reporting them for breaching it! Went online and reported it on the TPS website!

impy78

hjb123 wrote:

When someone last cold called our house - we are on the TPS register too - I politely asked their name and what company they were working for before telling them I was registered with the TPS and would be reporting them for breaching it! Went online and reported it on the TPS website!

Thanks! I have now done this.

hollydays

Companies house shows clear claim limited registered office
richmond place
127 boughton
chester.

This looks possibly like one of these offices where mail is picked up from as there are several businesses at this address. Chester is not that far from Liverpool-is this them?