advice needed re: medical hitory

sunshine31

hello,

i'm new here, this post is probably on the wrong board, but i've been lurking here for a while, and feel comfortable here, please move it if in wrong place.

my problem is i have been off work for a while, i'm waiting to have an opeation on my arm,
i had a care and concern meeting with two of my managers, during this i was asked to give consent for my work to request a report from my GP,
i was assured this would only request info on my current condition,
i spoke to my GP before i signed the form, and he reassured me he would only disclose info on my current problem.
so i signed the form.

i recieved a call from th HR dept last week, to inform me they had recieved a copy of my medical history from my GP, they were absolulety disgusted that this information had been sent to them, and sent it straight to me by recorded delivery,
there was no report on my condition, just a summary of every appointment i have had in the last five years,
these included very personal information, such as smear tests, and depression,
i rang my doctors practice to find out who had released the info, to be told it was the accountant,
i am so upset about this,
i am confused why the info would be released and why the accountant would have access to it,
i have a few money problems, but seem to get by,
i just feel so upset, i am being silly?

*zippy*

Hi Sunshine

Thats awful I don't blame you being upset, hope you got an apology at least.

zippy x

smashedbooboo

You need to go and see the practice manager of your surgery. Also report them under the data protection act. Not sure which is the relevant body for this type of thing but will have a look for you tomorrow, This is truly disgraceul what they have done. Any phone calls you have with your doc or surgery please write down. And if you need to write keep copies of everthing. I am sure the general medical council would be interested to hear from you. Do not let this go hun. You should have a full explanation and apology frm them. I also think you may have grounds to sue on a number of points. You need to find a solicitor who specialises in medical matters. And an expert on the data protection act. Approx what part of the country are you from.

nearlyrich

Hi Sunshine

Welcome to DFW, in your position I would ask your GP for an explanation, I wouldn't worry too much about HR seeing the notes as they are used to keeping confidential info to themselves.

I don't think you are being silly but I wouldn't waste time worrying about it too much, hope you get your op soon and make a full and speedy recovery.

smashedbooboo

Oh and sorry, No you are not being silly at all.

chevalier

That abolutely sucks. To be reassured by your GP that it would just be a report, and for them then just to be lazy gits and send out your whole history is totally wrong. I would put a complaint in writing to your practice manager asap. There is a dispute process that they have to follow if you do this.

And I would be even more angry that a non medical person at the practice (the accountant) had access to your medical records, I am pretty sure that that is a BIG no no too.
Best of luck with your op and with your complaint
chev

sunshine31

thank you all for your support,

the HR dept have been lovely, they dont know me personally,
they are in the head office, which i never go to,

i just feel i have lost the confidence and trust in my GP,
which is a shame as its took me a long time to trust him,
after a bad experience with another GP,

thankyou again,
sunshine

misspoppy

Hi
I am so sorry to hear this after you were nervous about agreeing to it. I agree you should make a formal complaint but not just to the practice this needs to go further.

You should also look for a new GP if you can't trust them they are no good to you.

lonely_2

Hi, I don't think you are being silly either, but use their mistake to your advantage. Say that you expect them to put this right by contacting your HR immediately with details of your current condition. Please take comfort from the fact that your HR will have to keep all your details confidential.

sunshine31

hi, thanks again for your support,

i have spent the last two days trying to find out what and why this has happened,

the consent form was supposed to go to occ health for them to request the report they required, but this didnt happen,

i have discovered that my line manager decided to send off for my history, and confirmed this in a telephone call from my GPs practice,

HR called me today to tell me that both my line manager and his manager are now under investigation,

i went to see the practice manager at my GPs surgery, who gave me a copy of the request, i am still not happy with the info they sent out, but i think i am going to let the patient liason service deal with that,

i am just wondering if anyone can advise as to whether i should let the internal enquiry run its course or if i should contact my union and involve them,

any advice is greatly appreciated,

thanks,

sunshine

lynsayjane

If you are a member of a union then yes I'd say get in touch with them, they will know all the ins and outs of what should have been done and what you can do about it.
sorry you've had this experience, remember it wasn't your gp him/herself that made this error but their clerical staff so there is no reason to distrust your gp.