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Original poster

Secretly Recorded by GP

387 replies

UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 18:18

I am seeking advice on a matter. I found out my accident that my GP recorded a telephone appointment without permission. I have complained to the practice and ICB, however they have not done anything. Does anybody have any advice or suggestions

OP posts:
Lifelover16 · 28/02/2025 21:15

You can contact the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and they will tell you your rights, and how to complain about no action being taken by GP or ICB if the recording was made without your knowledge or consent. There are fines for GPs if they breach GDPR.

apoetsmuse · 28/02/2025 21:15

OP what is the Practice Manager like at the surgery? Are they someone you couldn’t into? Over the years the one at mine has been my first port of call if I have had any concerns.

MrsPernicious · 28/02/2025 21:15

Now all phone calls have become digital, they are nearly all recorded.
DH is a teacher and has just discovered that all his phone calls are recorded.

What was it about the conversation that you did not like. Health records are not open to all, it tends to be need to know.

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:14

125High · 28/02/2025 21:08

She doesn’t know what they do with the recording. That’s the point. Medical data is highly sensitive, so a classification above ‘just’ personal data. The patient is absolutely entitled to know or ask how the data is stored, who has access and why it was collected secretly in the first instance. It could be recorded on cassettes left around the office and played at the Christmas party for laughs for all she knows. I exaggerate but the point is she doesn’t have to take the data security of the GP on trust; after all, secretly recording conversations isn’t really the basis of a trusting relationship with a medical professional is it? .

Show quote history

Exactly. I don't why they practice was recording my conversation.

OP posts:
Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:13

CaptainFuture · 28/02/2025 21:09

So because you state a local gp was charged with having child sex abuse images...you think your GP has similar nefarious intent towards you, an adult female?

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Whose knows. I wasn't told I was being recorded. There no information on the website. The telephone line doesn't state call are being recorded.

OP posts:
MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 28/02/2025 21:12

🧐

PieCorner · 28/02/2025 21:10

I'm not sure what another GP being in possession of images of child sex abuse has to do with your GP recording your telephone call?

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:10

lnks · 28/02/2025 19:15

I think the fact the that OP hasn't come back is very telling

Telling?

OP posts:
Pussycat22 · 28/02/2025 21:10

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

CaptainFuture · 28/02/2025 21:09

UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:05

I don't know. However, I know that a doctor for a nyeigbourig practice was prosecuted for child pornagraphy.

Show quote history

So because you state a local gp was charged with having child sex abuse images...you think your GP has similar nefarious intent towards you, an adult female?

apoetsmuse · 28/02/2025 21:09

If I ring my surgery there’s a recorded message first that tells you the call is recorded for training purposes but if the GP rings you they don’t say anything about it being recorded.

125High · 28/02/2025 21:08

CaptainFuture · 28/02/2025 21:02

This.
What do you think is being done with the recordings?
Who do you think it would be interesting or useful to?
It seems quite paranoid or grandiose thinking!

Show quote history

She doesn’t know what they do with the recording. That’s the point. Medical data is highly sensitive, so a classification above ‘just’ personal data. The patient is absolutely entitled to know or ask how the data is stored, who has access and why it was collected secretly in the first instance. It could be recorded on cassettes left around the office and played at the Christmas party for laughs for all she knows. I exaggerate but the point is she doesn’t have to take the data security of the GP on trust; after all, secretly recording conversations isn’t really the basis of a trusting relationship with a medical professional is it? .

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:08

I would also like to add the telephone call actually did not match what was written it the consultation notes. They GP recorded that they explained my condtion and medication - they didn't actually do that.

OP posts:
Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:06

happy2025 · 28/02/2025 21:03

I wasn't aware of this! When we visit the gp in person they do not record our conversation, they make notes on the computer, so why should a phone call be any different?

I might check with my Gp if this is true,

And if there is no 'announcement' to this effect which means they actually cannot record?

You should definitely check.

OP posts:
Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:06

BriceNobeslovesMurielHeslop · 28/02/2025 21:04

I think why the call was recorded is important. Is there a reason they would have recorded you and not thought it was appropriate to tell you? Was it recorded to keep an accurate record of the meeting, or to be used against you in some way?
If you asked for SAR, I’m not sure you can complain about it being triggering- surely that would be the case for written notes as well?

I don't know why it was recorded. Apparently, they record all patients.

OP posts:
apoetsmuse · 28/02/2025 21:05

Well whatever the rights and wrongs of this I’ve learnt that if I ever do have a conversation with my GP and there’s something I don’t want recorded as long as it’s not a safeguarding matter I will tell them I don’t want it recorded. I can’t think of a time I have ever said anything I didn’t want recorded but who knows what might happen in future.

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:05

CaptainFuture · 28/02/2025 21:02

This.
What do you think is being done with the recordings?
Who do you think it would be interesting or useful to?
It seems quite paranoid or grandiose thinking!

Show quote history

I don't know. However, I know that a doctor for a nyeigbourig practice was prosecuted for child pornagraphy.

OP posts:
LionME · 28/02/2025 21:04

Pixie2015 · 28/02/2025 21:00

They are not using the information for anything other than if you complain or ask for it to be reviewed or if you are violent/threatening.

the recordings protect patients in enduring they are getting appropriate assessment and advice.

Funny because if a patient records a consultation (eg they want to be able to go through it again because they’re worried they won’t remember it all), most GPs very uneasy about it. They dint like it.
And even less so if the patient doesn’t tell them.p!!

And yet, it’s totally legal for a patient to record their consultation.

Funny how they feel it’s an issue when it’s the ither way around. Afterall, they dint have anything to hide and everything is in the notes anyway right?

BriceNobeslovesMurielHeslop · 28/02/2025 21:04

I think why the call was recorded is important. Is there a reason they would have recorded you and not thought it was appropriate to tell you? Was it recorded to keep an accurate record of the meeting, or to be used against you in some way?
If you asked for SAR, I’m not sure you can complain about it being triggering- surely that would be the case for written notes as well?

MoanerLeeSir · 28/02/2025 21:04

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 28/02/2025 20:51

Absolutely not. I work in healthcare and I regularly see how much services are struggling. Resources are scarce as it is and you are wasting people's time imo

Show quote history

Patient trying to understand their rights and upset about management of sensitive health information is wasting people’s time? I hope you don’t have direct patient interaction.

happy2025 · 28/02/2025 21:03

I wasn't aware of this! When we visit the gp in person they do not record our conversation, they make notes on the computer, so why should a phone call be any different?

I might check with my Gp if this is true,

And if there is no 'announcement' to this effect which means they actually cannot record?

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:03

Pixie2015 · 28/02/2025 21:00

They are not using the information for anything other than if you complain or ask for it to be reviewed or if you are violent/threatening.

the recordings protect patients in enduring they are getting appropriate assessment and advice.

Are you a GP? Do you work for a GP?

OP posts:
CaptainFuture · 28/02/2025 21:02

Pixie2015 · 28/02/2025 21:00

They are not using the information for anything other than if you complain or ask for it to be reviewed or if you are violent/threatening.

the recordings protect patients in enduring they are getting appropriate assessment and advice.

This.
What do you think is being done with the recordings?
Who do you think it would be interesting or useful to?
It seems quite paranoid or grandiose thinking!

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:02

LionME · 28/02/2025 21:00

@UPSETPATIENT ive never had a telephone consultation with a GP recorded. I really dint think it’s common oractice.
and even if it was, the HCP should still have reminded you.

Apparently, all GP record telephone appointment. I never knew this.

OP posts:
CarefulN0w · 28/02/2025 21:02

OP I am sorry that this has upset you and the fact that you have done a subject access request suggests that this is a complex situation.

Are you certain however that the privacy notice for your surgery doesn't refer to recording phone conversations?

If it concerns you, I believe you can ask for the call to be deleted.