AIBU to feel a bit fobbed off by response to complaint?

The NHS being 'on its knees' does not exempt medical and clinical professionals from the law. Nothing does, and the fact that they DO NOT GET THIS is the problem.

I'm not sure why you're addressing this to me when I've made it quite clear that there is unlikely to be much in the way of compensation. My own view is that the sooner the NHS is gone the better, but that's not what we're talking about here.

@YellowAsteroid you do realise that some pregnant women cannot keep even a glass of water down if they're suffering from severe morning sickness. Why do you think Catherine, Princess of Wales was hospitalised during her first pregnancy?

The OP has already explained why they had chosen not to tell family members about the pregnancy. It is entirely her and her partner's choice and she has explained the good reason why.

@SummerBaby8 I would definitely follow this up with a complaint to PALS. Having worked in clinical negligence the NHS still hasn't got its collective head round how a proper explanation, apology and detailed plan of how the same situation could be avoided in future goes a long way.

InveterateWineDrinker watch em shriek when NHS is gone. Compensation for this is ludicrous, no wonder NHS is on its knees and staff quitting in droves and recruitment at an all time low because of people who would claim for an eyelash falling out of they could !!! Who wants to work with one eye on the law courts instead of both eyes on the patient. Those who claim for sod all have taken the heart and vocation out of nursing.

Well it was a mistake, they apologised and have learned a lesson from it I’m sure. What do you expect?

I agree it's an error, but it is a huge error. As a Dr it should be bread and butter. You don't disclose patient info.

Data protection obligations exist for a reason.

This is a data breach. The NHS has failed to meets it's data protection obligations. You have experienced emotional distress as a result. The basis for a claim is there.

The NHS is on its knees. It was an error, they said sorry. I am very pleased they have not wasted any more time than that and instead concentrate on making people better or saving lives.

Perhaps you live a sheltered life. Very many people don’t have positive relationships with their families.

Your medical information is private and it should not be given out to anyone without your express permission. She does not need to specifically say no info should be given out as it should NOT be given out at all.

And rightly so. Harm doesn't always have to be physical.

Geo45 well done. You have just given her exactly what she wanted.

The problem with this is that damages paid as compensation have to be calculated based on the actual harm suffered and, to be blunt, there isn't much to quantify here.

How do they or you know it has not led to serious consequences?
The impact on OP’s mental health could be significant.

I did not tell any family members about my pregnancy so early on and yes would have been very upset and worried if anyone had told them.

To anyone saying there should be a note on file not to tell the mother that should not be necessary, it should be the default.

Maybe some of the very dry training courses about legal implications of breaching confidentiality could include a reminder that the threat of legal consequences is not the only reason to maintain patient confidentiality and respect privacy.

I can think of very many reasons why this scenario could be distressing. I’m sorry that it happened @SummerBaby8 and hope that you are recovering.

Actually strongly disagree with previous responses.

If course you have a right to be upset. That is terrible

If you feel harm or distressed was caused to you I think you should contact PALS and look into making a legal claim for compensation.

FlabbergastedByTheGorgons , FFS don't they whine over every mortal thing !!!

So how did your mother find out ? You didn't answer the question . I'm guessing she is listed as your next of kin legally , as you're not married ?

What do you want? The doctor made a mistake. They apologised. There isn't anything else they can do. What outcome were you expecting?

😳

That’s actually not true. There is often a huge amount you can do after a mistake has been made - there should be actions taken to try and prevent the same thing ever happening again e.g. re-education of the whole team on the importance of patient confidentiality, how to deal with relatives, not giving private and personal information out over the phone, adding notes to records as you say. There are often a whole range of improvement actions for an error.

The Dr informed you straight away of their mistake and apologised. The hospital nvestigated and apologised. You can't get blood from a stone

It’s a clear breach of patient confidentiality and it shouldn’t have happened. In saying that, mistakes do happen, the doctor has been spoken to (and will be very unlikely to make the same mistake again) but they should have give you a full and unreserved apology for the mistake and you should have been asked for your input and given the opportunity to express your upset at this (if it wasn’t in your complaints letter). If you’re not happy, go back to them or contact the public services ombudsman. Investigations are never about apportioning blame, but to ensure that there is learning from incidents and that patients are listened to and given a heartfelt apology. I would be upset too.

It's not that unusual.