I’ve reported my friend for an NHS confidentiality breech

I’d be singing like a canary. I’d also name your friends in this as she’s probably looked them up too. If there’s been a breach of confidentiality then they have to inform the person. I don’t think those ‘friends’ would take too kindly knowing it was their record she snooped on too.
You did the right thing. She can’t be trusted.

This post nails it but I would be inclined to add the names of your friends to the complaint so governance can see where she has accessed their files too.

This way, they will likely get letters to say their medical files have been accessed by your ex friend. That will put a different slant on it to them.

No-one likes to think of a mate having a gander at their medical history.

I would be prepared to die on this hill and I would throw everything I know at this complaint so they can chase up what other files she is viewing for her own prurient pleasure. Yuk.

These people are not your friends!!!

They'd all look through someone's medical notes.

If they thought it was bad they wouldn't have congratulated you - they would have realised they shouldn't actually know and they would have just kept it to themselves.

I would pursue the complaint - but I would say everything like this takes time.

I work in maternity and wouldn't dream of ever doing this! You cannot access patient information without consent, but if she had just happened to come across your file and didn't go out of her way to look you up on E3 (system) or something, then there may not be evidence of this, however, the evidence is her telling your mutual friends which IS a complete breach of patient confidentiality and could be sackable. Everything in the NHS takes a long time, if you haven't heard back from them by next week, write a follow up email.

Also 'breach' not breech.

Breech is what you don't want in childbirth, breach is when trust is broken.

I'm wondering the same, how many people is she regularly checking the records of hoping to find something? The investigation might turn up a very large scale breach.

How much personal info do you need to search for someone? Is thier name enough?

Whilst your mutual friends are probably on her side atm because in their eyes "it's no big deal, you'll start to show soon and it's not exactly going to be a secret at that point ", they are missing the point that all health records are confidential regardless of their nature. She would have received training to that effect and been advised of the consequences in the event of a breach. If she wanted to keep her job that badly, she shouldn't have done what she did. Sorry to say, but she deserves everything that's coming her way. Dump your so called friends.

It's so common on Mumsnet, different words used ''Loose'' for lose, ''reigns'' for reins and the ''could of'' instead of '' could have''.

The most important thing here is that you set all this aside and enjoy your pregnancy. You have done the right thing, now let it lie and look forward to your exciting future. Congratulations! Go well.

Lose not loose.

The process can take a few weeks so leave them go do it. You might not be told the full outcome.

I managed similar cases in my role and this is likely dismissal. All are trained not to look and then absolutely not to say.

Try and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

Your ‘friends’ are massively out of line here, she deserves to lose her job. I would be devastated to learn my records were being shared with other people, particularly a pregnancy. I can’t even find the words.

i am sorry this happened to you op, but you did you the right thing. Congratulations and I hope you have other friends or family that are far more loving and supportive 💐

This is shocking -she absolutely should lose her job.

loose = not tight.

NHS worker here.

You did the right thing.

I can't believe she actually went about telling people about your medical information!!! And then shrugged her shoulders like it was nothing.

Nope.
Sack.

Sounds like they'd do the same given half a chance.
You are well rid of all of them.

You did the right thing. She was well out of order. If she can't see that, she shouldn't be in the job. I used to work in a bank. I wouldn't have dreamed of looking up people I know and disclose how much money they have to mutual friends.

You were completely right to report her... total violation. Don't feel bad for a minute...

She deserves everything she gets. Fuck your other so called friends too.

You did right thing. This won't be 1st time.

Bloody hell op! Please don’t feel bad about this. I’m amazed your friendship group are being so relaxed.

this is a massive breach of your confidentiality, your friend’s confidentiality and Karen’s working agreement.

Regard audit - duration depends on how ‘computerised’ your hospital’s system is. These keep a log of who has accessed your notes and the date. With old paper files it’s more difficult to prove unauthorised access.

However if you have text messages where she has admitted accessing your notes and those of your friend’s please keep them.

if proven then yes, she will lose her job. Not because of you, but her own actions. I remember confidentiality being drummed into me right from the start 25 years ago! Goodness knows how many people she’s been snooping on.

As for her response and those of your friends. I think it’s pretty appalling. Are they immature?

Not only did she consult your file, she spread the news to your friends.
That's actually quite worrying behaviour, seeking to cause intentional harm. Her behaviour could have escalated. She sounds like she was enjoying the power trip, not just being nosy.
I'm not normally one for reporting at every turn but it was absolutely necessary here.

They aren’t your friends….how dare she access your medical records and share confidential information!? She deserves to lose her job.

She needs to lose her job. Do not feel sorry for her.