Medical results & info opened by neighbour

GlamGirlie

OP- have you never opened something by mistake? We've all done it - it's not malicious, just an accident. Not sure what you think you would gain by going round there? Just let it go, your neighbour almost definitely will have done.

pattycake

We live at No 13 and frequently get mail for No 15 as the postie thinks the builders missed out 13 as it's considered unlucky!

I just go next door and put it through their letter box. I do look at the addressee on envelopes because it could be for me or DH.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

oncewereworriers wrote: »

I'm stressed as my recent hospital biopsy results and current medical issues have been opened by a neighbour and she posted it through my door on the sunday.
I know the opening other peoples mail has been covered in some way on the forum, but this was addressed in my name but the number 1 was handwritten in a way that the post office delivered it to number 7, who opened it, saw the correct address typed within and delivered it.
They tried to restick it back down, didn't knock on the door to apologize or explain.
I have mental health issues and my neighbours are rather gossipy, they act like depression is contagious, I already have two neighbours that blank me. I'd like to go around and talk to the lady but I'm not very good at talking to people and terrified how far this information will go.

The address should have been clearly written and the lady at number 7 shouldn't have opened it but it had no private and confidential or addressee only warning but it did have a return address that if you'd searched it would have come up as an NHS hospital.
Does anyone have any advice on how to handle this? I can except a maybe accidental opening but what if the information within does the rounds?

As you've said yourself, as soon as they opened it and realised it was for you, they tried to stick the envelope back down again and passed it on to you. There's nothing to apologise for or explain.

Just let it go.

JIL

Your neighbour could very easily have covered this up by destroying the letter, instead they stuck it back down and made sure you got the letter. The fact they got the letter to you says a lot, it doesn't seem it was opened intentionally.

FBaby

Was there anything in the letter that makes you very worried they would go and discuss with anyone else? If that's the case, then your only option is to go and speak with them and explain that you are not angry with them for mistakenly opening the letter as it can happen, but that you would very much appreciate if they could keep everything for themselves.

They will say that of course they will, that they understand, they would never divulge that kind of information, and then you can say 'oh no, I wouldn't think you would, but I just feel more reassured that I've mentioned it'. It is then highly likely that even if they intended to do so, they will now think twice about it.

oncewereworriers

FBaby wrote: »

Was there anything in the letter that makes you very worried they would go and discuss with anyone else? If that's the case, then your only option is to go and speak with them and explain that you are not angry with them for mistakenly opening the letter as it can happen,
but that you would very much appreciate if they could keep everything for themselves.

They will say that of course they will, that they understand, they would never divulge that kind of information, and then you can say 'oh no, I wouldn't think you would, but I just feel more reassured that I've mentioned it'. It is then highly likely that even if they intended to do so, they will now think twice about it.

Thank you FBaby, that's exactly it, I could live with the biopsy results just being in there, it was the other sensitive information I am worried about.

GlamGirlie wrote: »

OP- have you never opened something by mistake? We've all done it - it's not malicious, just an accident. Not sure what you think you would gain by going round there? Just let it go, your neighbour almost definitely will have done.

I don't think I made myself clear, like I said I can appreciate opening it accidentally it, I know it must have been tempting to chuck it in the bin, I appreciate that she brought it around. As nothing was said or any note I just wanted some reassurance that it wouldn't end up going any further, I didn't mean it to sound like I was going to march around there angry and demanding an explanation and apology, more that I had no idea of the intention. What is written could be damaging to me and a bit of juicy gossip to someone else.

rach_k wrote: »

I think a sensible approach would be to go round or write a simple note to say thank you to her for posting it through your door and for her discretion. There's no need to start talking about whether she should have opened it or not and no need to mention gossip. There's nothing you can do about it now anyway, and antagonising her by suggesting she might be anything other than decent might backfire. Be nice and expect the best of people and generally they will be nice and live up to your expectations

Good advice, Thank you.

tensandunits_2

Given that this happened more than a week ago I wouldn't go round there now, OP. I expect she's forgotten about it. Let it lie.

More important is to make sure it doesn't happen again, so do get on to the dept at the hospital and make sure they correctly address any future correspondence.