We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Patient confidentiality breach - dilemma

12346

Comments

  • Hammyman
    Hammyman Posts: 9,913 Forumite
    They are often on the ward for practical reasons, but distribution of the information beyond the ward would be a breach.

    Nothing to stop any member of the public visiting the ward, seeing the information and posting it though is there?
  • Hammyman
    Hammyman Posts: 9,913 Forumite
    Savvy_Sue wrote: »
    the information about who uses our services is not publicly available, it is confidential. If an official body like the council phones and asks for information on a client, they have to fax across consent from the client first, before we can confirm that we are working with them. If a family member phones and asks after a client, we can't confirm whether we know them or not, we can only say that IF we know them and IF we see them, we will pass a message on.

    The person who asked after the name they saw on a noticeboard should not, IMO, have done so, because they worked for an organisation which should have a similar confidentiality policy to ours.

    If it is so confidential, why did they put it in big letters on a great big effin whiteboard in clear view of the public? Is this what passes for the thought processes of the public sector?
  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 47,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hammyman wrote: »
    Nothing to stop any member of the public visiting the ward, seeing the information and posting it though is there?
    No, there's not, but I've been thinking about this, and I can't help feeling that if anyone (other than a close family member) had been flashing a camera in the direction of my bed on any of the times I've been in hospital, I'd have had something to say about it! And if I'd discovered my name on a whiteboard on Facebook, I'd have had more than something to say about it!
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • MonkeySaving?
    MonkeySaving? Posts: 1,141 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 11 November 2011 at 11:51PM
    Hammyman wrote: »
    If it is so confidential, why did they put it in big letters on a great big effin whiteboard in clear view of the public? Is this what passes for the thought processes of the public sector?

    The general public, generally don't go into hospital to take photos of their loved one ill in a hospital bed and then post the result, including other patients information, on facebook!
    55378008
  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 47,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hammyman wrote: »
    If it is so confidential, why did they put it in big letters on a great big effin whiteboard in clear view of the public? Is this what passes for the thought processes of the public sector?
    I don't work in the public sector, and we have very few visitors. Those who do come into our building usually work for organisations where you'd expect them to have similar confidentiality policies to our own. You might see a name, but you know you can't ask for information about that person.
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • It may of be her last day but as a nurse a code of conduct is required. Confidentiality breach, code of conduct breach. Professional boundaries reminder re code of conduct and confidentiality needed, refer to your manager
  • Uncertain
    Uncertain Posts: 3,901 Forumite
    edited 12 November 2011 at 12:04PM
    Hammyman wrote: »
    Very. As you instantly bleated on about telling management instead of having a quiet word to resolve what was an innocent occurence you are a shining example of everything wrong with this country.

    No, you are missing the point.

    If anything is "petty" it is the regulations that allow no discretion.

    As it stands, if the OP doesn't report this through the official channels and it becomes know that she was aware of the breach then she puts herself at serious risk.

    Easy to advocate that path to an anonymous person on the forum and describe them as "petty". I wonder if you would take the risk yourself?
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've helped Parliament
    The longer this goes on the more of the "friends" that work in the healthcare place that post on this persons place(or what ever it is called, I don'r do it) that can be identified get pullled in for not highlighting the issue.

    (if the management are on the ball which given the isis the NHS is unlikely)


    Quick action is the key to anything in the public domain like this,
    you tell the person (with no trail to you) or report ASAP.
  • We are all flawed in some way and make mistakes at work. How would you feel if you were ratted out for every mistake you made because 'it was the professional thing to do'? If I thought in the same way, I could get alot of people in trouble for breaching policy at work.

    At the end of the day, the way I see it, is like this - what goes around comes around. Today its about the girl who took the photo and posted it on FB, tomorrow it could be you.

    Treat others the way you want to be treated yourself.


    OMG what a dreadful attitude !
    I sincerely hope you don't work for any organisation that I'll ever have the misfortune to have dealings with................
  • surreysaver
    surreysaver Posts: 5,257 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Savvy_Sue wrote: »
    The person who asked after the name they saw on a noticeboard should not, IMO, have done so, because they worked for an organisation which should have a similar confidentiality policy to ours.

    But why were they able to see the board if it wasn't publicly visible - and you shouldn't assume that others have, or have been trained on, such policies.
    I consider myself to be a male feminist. Is that allowed?
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.6K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.