Phoning hospitals?

elkay115

If you are genuinely worried that someone who you havent heard from for a few days may have tried to take their own life and there is no other way of contacting them, can you really phone round hospitals to see if maybe this person has been admitted? Would they tell you if they have been admitted? Wouldnt be looking for any details really apart from knowing if they have been admitted and that they are ok. Anyone know?

Nicki

I'd be really surprised if they would tell you due to patient confidentiality. If you think someone is at risk of harm would it not be better to phone the police and ask them to check on the person?

jenhug

Having been in the same situation, I contacted the police in the town they lived. They will be able to investigate.

Person_one

Nicki's right, hospitals can't tell you anything without the person's permission.

If you're concerned, you need to call the police, they would probably visit very soon.

I hope your friend is ok.

meritaten

I have sometimes phoned to see if son has been admitted and been told yes and what ward they are on. you are then transferred to ward who are either helpful with info or not - depending on what YOU say is your relationship to patient. I have never been refused info on whether patient has been admitted or the ward they have been admitted on to.

Georgiegirl256

If you phone up and mention the name of the person, the hospital will usually tell you if they are in and what ward they are on. I did it the other week for my Mam and Dad to find out if a friend of theirs was still in, it turns out he wasn't, but they will tell you if you ask. I don't see why they wouldn't?

Person_one

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

If you phone up and mention the name of the person, the hospital will usually tell you if they are in and what ward they are on. I did it the other week for my Mam and Dad to find out if a friend of theirs was still in, it turns out he wasn't, but they will tell you if you ask. I don't see why they wouldn't?

Technically, even the fact that the person is in hospital is their confidential medical info. In reality, a lot of staff are a bit relaxed about that rule.

If you're worried that somebody may have hurt themselves, the police are definitely the right people to call.

Georgiegirl256

Person_one wrote: »

Technically, even the fact that the person is in hospital is their confidential medical info. In reality, a lot of staff are a bit relaxed about that rule.

If you're worried that somebody may have hurt themselves, the police are definitely the right people to call.

I suppose, but I would probably still try the hospital first and then if I got nowhere I would then phone the police.

Person_one

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

I suppose, but I would probably still try the hospital first and then if I got nowhere I would then phone the police.

That doesn't make sense to me.

If the person is in a hospital they are somewhere safe, being taken care of, there's no urgency.

If they aren't in a hospital then they're either ok, or they're in trouble and need some help, which the police can help with.

InsideInsurance

It really depends on the question you ask the hospital. If you phone up to say you want to speak to X but aren't sure what ward they are on then generally they'll put you through if they're there or tell you there isnt anyone of that name there. Sometimes they wont help if you cant name the ward but most do.

Ultimately its a bit of a long shot phoning all the hospitals -v- more direct action

kerrydan

You can definitely find out if some one has been admitted to hospital just ask for patient information on the man hospital telephone number they will direct you. Give them name and DOB and possibly address they will tell you the ward if they are in hospital. The ward will not tell you any details unless they know you are NOK usually.
I am a social worker and often end up looking for people who have gone missing from there homes and I find them this way.