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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:
Drdancer · 28/02/2025 22:15

If you are with the mental health team OP can they sign post you to a mental health advocate.
Historically people in mental health services have often experienced stigma and discrimination so I understand why things like confidentiality and sharing of information would be important to you and why you might question what has happened. Do you have access to any mental health user/support groups that may be useful?

Trallers · 28/02/2025 22:14

No idea why you're getting a hard time, some people are being quite unpleasant, well beyond just disagreeing with you. You're perfectly entitled to have feelings about being recorded unexpectedly and want to look into whether it was actually allowed.

I wonder if the GPs at this practice had a spiel they were supposed to say to patients about privacy at the start of calls (rather than a recording) but it drifted out of use over time. I've seen that happen due to it becoming so mundane it's assumed nobody cares any more.

CaptainFuture · 28/02/2025 22:12

Youremylobster86 · 28/02/2025 22:04

OP if your query/complaint is why they record calls as procedure, that's fair enough. However, you are making out that the GP secretly recorded you on a listening device or separate phone which is not the case at all. As they stated when asked 'all calls are recorded', they are not secretly recording you and you are no different to anyone else.

This sums it up, @UPSETPATIENT your op almost indicates the gp is being nefarious and bullying by picking on you, but you later report the practice manager advises its all calls, nothing specific to you?

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 22:12

SuperTrooper14 · 28/02/2025 22:11

It will be clearly stated somewhere on the surgery’s website. I’ve just checked mine and it’s under a bit about telephone consultations.

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I can confirm it wasn't - I have checked.

OP posts:
Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 22:11

SuperTrooper14 · 28/02/2025 22:07

But presumably they wouldn’t have known the level of detail you would go into. I can see why you might be rattled but it doesn’t sound like GP was acting in bad faith.

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The GP led the conversation. I would answered their question had I known I was going to be recorded.

OP posts:
SuperTrooper14 · 28/02/2025 22:11

UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 22:08

If you don't tell patients they are being recorded - it a covert or secret recording because the patient is unaware.

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It will be clearly stated somewhere on the surgery’s website. I’ve just checked mine and it’s under a bit about telephone consultations.

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 22:08

Youremylobster86 · 28/02/2025 22:04

OP if your query/complaint is why they record calls as procedure, that's fair enough. However, you are making out that the GP secretly recorded you on a listening device or separate phone which is not the case at all. As they stated when asked 'all calls are recorded', they are not secretly recording you and you are no different to anyone else.

If you don't tell patients they are being recorded - it a covert or secret recording because the patient is unaware.

OP posts:
SuperTrooper14 · 28/02/2025 22:07

UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 22:02

That is is true. Although in my case the GP knew what this was about as they were the ones that initiated the call.

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But presumably they wouldn’t have known the level of detail you would go into. I can see why you might be rattled but it doesn’t sound like GP was acting in bad faith.

TeenLifeMum · 28/02/2025 22:07

UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:49

For the record, I shared this with my mental health team. They were shocked - they assured me and advise me they do not record patients telephone appointment due to the sensitive nature.

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Interesting, my trust has mh as part of it and it’s the same phone system so all are recorded but they aren’t linked to medical records and would only be accessed if there was a related investigation, otherwise they are all deleted within a set time frame and cannot be accessed without following strict protocols. Mh team probably not aware to be honest as ours is linked to security (drs getting death threats is a thing sadly).

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 22:06

CaptainFuture · 28/02/2025 21:50

But they're not a GP practice?

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Part of the reason why the GP called was related to information my mental health team shared with my GP.

OP posts:
Missgemini · 28/02/2025 22:05

UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 22:02

That is is true. Although in my case the GP knew what this was about as they were the ones that initiated the call.

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I’m guessing that you think that the GP that called you had a button to stop the programmed recording from happening? I think you do need to have a chat with the practice manager to see how the system works. That’s clearly the issue here. I hope you get an ending you’re happy with.

Youremylobster86 · 28/02/2025 22:04

OP if your query/complaint is why they record calls as procedure, that's fair enough. However, you are making out that the GP secretly recorded you on a listening device or separate phone which is not the case at all. As they stated when asked 'all calls are recorded', they are not secretly recording you and you are no different to anyone else.

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 22:02

SuperTrooper14 · 28/02/2025 21:58

I imagine rhey won’t know what the call is actually about beforehand. So they will record someone talking about their tonsils the same as they would a more sensitive topic. This and the mention of the other GP too… are you implying your GP is using your specific recording tor their personal consumption?

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That is is true. Although in my case the GP knew what this was about as they were the ones that initiated the call.

OP posts:
Drdancer · 28/02/2025 22:02

I agree. OP could do with talking about this with some sort of advocate to get something definitive.

Missgemini · 28/02/2025 22:00

MrsPernicious · 28/02/2025 21:58

Have you put in a request to see who the GP has shared this recorded phone call with?
The information will be available.

It will be no one as all calls are recorded and stored as per GDPR. Why on earth would they be sharing her particular recording? What would be the purpose?

MrsPernicious · 28/02/2025 22:00

It is 2025, any phone call anyone makes to a company, service, institution or anyone that isn't your grandma is being recorded.

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 22:00

MrsPernicious · 28/02/2025 21:58

Have you put in a request to see who the GP has shared this recorded phone call with?
The information will be available.

Thank you - I never knew. I will ask if this information has been shared.

OP posts:
MySillyGoose · 28/02/2025 22:00

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:59

ChannellingZen · 28/02/2025 21:56

OP you're getting a very hard time on here, you have my sympathy.

I wouldn't know my phone calls to a GP were recorded - I would definitely assume I would be informed if so. And indeed, informed on the reason for the recording.

The standard line i hear in other situation is 'some calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.' This means, only some, and basically, to be used to check the facts if there was a complaint, or for some sort of random quality control assessment. Recorded with the purpose of being attached as an evidence of your health history is actually a very different reason.

And regardless of whether it's done or not, you should have a right to KNOW it's happening. That's the issue here. It's not okay for this to happen without knowledge, and OP it sounds like you're on the right path to finding out more about how this has happened.

Thank you for your understanding. A lot of the post are quite nasty.

OP posts:
SuperTrooper14 · 28/02/2025 21:58

UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:38

May I ask why the GP would record someone disclosing past trauma or highly sensitive topics?

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I imagine rhey won’t know what the call is actually about beforehand. So they will record someone talking about their tonsils the same as they would a more sensitive topic. This and the mention of the other GP too… are you implying your GP is using your specific recording tor their personal consumption?

MrsPernicious · 28/02/2025 21:58

Have you put in a request to see who the GP has shared this recorded phone call with?
The information will be available.

ChannellingZen · 28/02/2025 21:56

OP you're getting a very hard time on here, you have my sympathy.

I wouldn't know my phone calls to a GP were recorded - I would definitely assume I would be informed if so. And indeed, informed on the reason for the recording.

The standard line i hear in other situation is 'some calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.' This means, only some, and basically, to be used to check the facts if there was a complaint, or for some sort of random quality control assessment. Recorded with the purpose of being attached as an evidence of your health history is actually a very different reason.

And regardless of whether it's done or not, you should have a right to KNOW it's happening. That's the issue here. It's not okay for this to happen without knowledge, and OP it sounds like you're on the right path to finding out more about how this has happened.

CaptainFuture · 28/02/2025 21:55

This reply has been deleted

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

TurquoiseDress · 28/02/2025 21:53

I think the key point here is that the GP SURGERY records all telephone calls

Not that the GP themselves decide to record certain patients, for shits & giggles or whatever

Original poster
UPSETPATIENT · 28/02/2025 21:53

MrsPernicious · 28/02/2025 21:50

That's good. Your GP did not share irrelevant information with the PIP people. They seem to be complying with GDPR.

What is your complaint?

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Said who? I said I never shared the recording with PIP. I don't who the GP share information with.

OP posts:
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