GP surgery breach of confidentiality

[OnePlusBun]

Hi ladies (and gents???)
I've never posted before but this is keeping me awake at night so I'd just like some thoughts/advice...
I found out I'm pregnant (baby2) and as I have epilepsy booked in to see GP almost right away on Friday - I'm 5wks.
As usual reception asked for brief description of what appt. is for so I say I'm pregnant.
I arrive for my appointment and one of the receptionists who me & my family know well but only as the receptionist and as a result of being a patient for like forever shouts "CONGRATULATIONS!!"
Straight away I shhhhh her and say shhh nobody knows.
She said haven't you told anyone yet? - like its strange not to have at 4 1/2 weeks!!!
There was a girl I know from one of my toddler classes in the waiting room so I had to tell her which isn't the end of the world, but for all the receptionist knew any of my friends/family/neighbours could have been in there.
So, to my point - is this a breach of patient confidentiality? And what would you do in my shoes bearing in mind I've know this lady a long time and we normally have a friendly chit chat. My husband says I should put in a complaint but I feel really awkward given the (loose) friendship and that fact that its my surgery that I have to return to - and more often now I'm pregnant again.
Sorry for the mammoth post but with nobody else knowing our news yet I've got nobody else to turn to for advice.
Thanks in advance

[bangbangprettypretty]

I have epilepsy too and would be fucking furious.

I'd complain - you're not friends, even if you are friendly. She wouldn't have known were it not for her job.

I would write to the practice manager - you don't have to be angry, just straightforward.

[NanaNina]

I don't think this is a breach of confidentiality but I think the receptionist behaved inappropriately but she probably said it without thinking of the implications. You could write to the Practice Manager or next time you see the receptionist in question have a quiet word about this.

[5madthings]

That is really crap!

The receptionist at my surgery is my next door neighbour, I had to make my app via her and then to see and book in with midwife via her. My neighbour did not mention my pregnancy until I did and it was obvious it wss public knowledge by then as my kids wrre talking about it, so at about 15wks. By she had known from 6wks when I saw the gp.

I would raise it with the surgery so she can have her training updated.

Perhaps she was just excited for you, got carried away but that is massively unprofessional.

[Cleansheetsandbedding]

I've been in your position twice.

1. the Gp receptionist (who I knew from school£ asked how my IVF was going in the local bakery shop
   
   Then she actually walked in the nurses room to check if I was ok when I went in upset over a very private matter.
   
   I let the senior nurse know how unhappy I was at her frequent fimilarity with me in private matters.
   
   I would actually say somthing to the practice manager now looking backing back.

[OnePlusBun]

Thanks everyone. I think I need to stop worrying about upsetting people and deal with what's upset me. Bet she's not lay awake at night worried about what she's said, but maybe after realising how wrong what she did was she might.

[iminshock]

Please please bring this to the attention of your GP. This is completely unacceptable.

[Helbel82]

Hi Plus Bun.
Yes this is a breach of confidentiality as she was disclosing something personal in a public environment which subsequently made you feel uncomfortable. It is completely up to you how you want to deal with it.
However I would say that it is definitely a training issue that needs to be addressed. Everyone who works for the nhs is required to go through confidentiality training and whilst she may be wasn't thinking at the time, it is something that ultimately could land her or the practice in trouble in the future.

[coveredinsnot]

This is ABSOLUTELY a breach of confidentiality and yes you absolutely MUST discuss this with the practice manager. You can do so in a way that ensures your complaint is not linked to you. Explain the situation to the practice manager and perhaps have the discussion over the phone or by appointment with them.

[NameAgeLocation]

My goodness. Not every pregnancy is a wanted pregnancy, regardless of family situation. She was way out of order and it could have been even worse.

It's not her news, and she should not assume it's good news anyway. It's simply a medical fact.

[Pannacott]

Definite breach of confidentiality. Speak to the practice manager, if you're not happy with their response try the GP, and PALS.

[ggirl]

If she didn't realise that what she did was wrong then imagine all the possible breaches of confidence she is making ..she will have access to all sorts of information about possible neighbours/friends etc

[Finchley26]

Woah. I think this is bang out of order and you should definitely raise it with the practice manager.

At least that way the issue is raised, training will hopefully be given and the situation won't arise again in the future with other patients.

[sycamore54321]

Yes she was wrong and you should raise this as an issue (if not an outright complaint). However no, you did not have to then tell the person you knew in the waiting room. She may have deduced it but there was no 'had to'. So limit your description of what happened to the first part only.