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Original poster

Is this normal? Nhs employees

58 replies

Chiefspidercatcher · 15/10/2024 19:35

I don't think it is. Or it shouldn't be.

I work in a GP practice. Not long started.

I've witnessed a newbie given a 'spare' smart card (which belonged to a colleague on leave, a spare for them sonehow the practice manager has) to access eg emis while training before newbies own smart card arrived.
So colleague was on leave but there's logged actions throughout the system that they eg ordered prescriptions, blood tests etc as their smart card was used.

I had a patient complain earlier this week about a request not done from a week prior. I checked the system & was shocked to see my own name logged as the person cancelling their request. I didn't remember doing this & am v careful. When I got home later I checked my shifts & I wasn't in work when it was done so someone must have a spare smart card for me & be accessing the system using my profile.

I feel like the risks & ramifications are huge.

Am I overreacting? Does this go on?

I'm trying to decide how to proceed. I'm concerned about patient security & confidentiality being compromised. Also the risk of reputational damage to me or anyone else whose card is being used by someone else for goodness knows what.

I think the PM is likely the one who has the spares & letting certain ppl access them. However we are a small practice & she'd also be my point of contact to raise issues to so I'm not sure which way to move forward. ICO suggested whistleblowing. Has anyone else been in a similar position?

OP posts:
NewmummyJ · 15/10/2024 19:42

Yes I've known it happen even though it's a big no for the reasons you've described. Often these practices are normalised as ok when they're clearly not. If the PM is instigating it then you're in a tricky place.. in my experience whistle blowing never ends well in the NHS (for the person who raises concerns), it's such a toxic culture.

BloominNora · 15/10/2024 19:41

I'm public sector (not NHS but work closely with them) and have a lot of data protection experience.

This is beyond bad - you absolutely need to follow whistleblowing procedures!

SoreHeadInBed · 15/10/2024 19:41

It's not really normal OP. That would worry me! I used to let my apprentices borrow my smart card to look at notes before they got their smart cards, but only when we were I the same room and I could keep an eye! I never ever let them input any notes or anything in my name. People in my team did that kind of thing a lot though. There is no way I want anyone else inputting stuff under my name thanks!!

PinkiOcelot · 15/10/2024 19:41

No it’s not normal. Why would anyone need a spare smart card for you or anyone else?!

bergamotorange · 15/10/2024 19:39

That's really bad.

I agree use the whistleblowing policy, or speak in confidence to a senior partner.

Nothanks17 · 15/10/2024 19:38

Also, when I worked in the nhs I had emis training with IT and used like a training account. They shouldn't be using emis until they are trained and have their own account

Blev2022 · 15/10/2024 19:37

I haven't but there's no way I would be okay with this. If anything goes wrong it's your name against it.
Is your PM approachable?
It would be a massive no no in our service (NHS but not a GP practice).

Nothanks17 · 15/10/2024 19:37

That's really bad