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Original poster

Received someone else’s doctors letter in the post

69 replies

TheShyDeer · 10/02/2026 19:23

I’ve recently been undergoing some tests at the hospital and have been waiting for a letter from a consultant who has recommended a referral to a different specialist. The letter arrived today with another women’s letter in the envelope. The letter was addressed to her doctors. Im going to call the women’s doctors tomorrow morning and tell them I have received this letter which they should have.

I’ve searched the women on Facebook and want to send her a message to tell her, I actually recognised her from the waiting room. is this strange? I’d like to know if all my details had been sent to a random person (name adress DOB doctors NHS number etc). Obviously once I’ve spoke with her doctors I will send it onto them or however they advise.

YBU- don’t message her
YNBU - message her

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 10/02/2026 20:03

TheShyDeer · 10/02/2026 20:00

Thank you everyone.
I didn’t realise they would have to tell her so I will just call her doctors in the morning and take it from there.

I am obviously part of the minority who would appreciate knowing who had my details. My anxiety would not cope very well with wondering who had my details and it would cause me endless sleepless nights 🤦🏼‍♀️ I understand this wouldn’t be everyone’s response which is why I reach out on here to gauge what others would think what is “normal”

Edited

Fair enough that you have taken it on board - I do think that having had her privacy already invaded, you would effectively be doing the same thing again to track her down online.

Interesting that you say that you would want to know who had your information - in the scenario of contacting someone online you would know their name, but you wouldn't know anything else about them - they would still be a stranger. So I am not sure how you would find that comforting? I'm not having a dig, it just doesn't resonate with me because you still wouldn't know anything about them.

Original poster
TheShyDeer · 10/02/2026 20:00

Thank you everyone.
I didn’t realise they would have to tell her so I will just call her doctors in the morning and take it from there.

I am obviously part of the minority who would appreciate knowing who had my details. My anxiety would not cope very well with wondering who had my details and it would cause me endless sleepless nights 🤦🏼‍♀️ I understand this wouldn’t be everyone’s response which is why I reach out on here to gauge what others would think what is “normal”

OP posts:
GlasgowGal2014 · 10/02/2026 19:59

sammylady37 · 10/02/2026 19:44

Why would you contact her on Facebook? How intrusive!

As others have said this is a data breach. It is the responsibility of the organisation that sent the letter to deal with it and that should include assessing the informing the person whose data has been breached and potentially also informing the ICO. I'd report it to the Data Protection Officer (if you google the name of the hospital/health board and data protection officer you should find contact details) because that should guarantee that it is dealt with in line with the law and not brushed under the carpet.

dammit88 · 10/02/2026 19:45

Arlanymor · 10/02/2026 19:38

If someone I didn't know messaged me on Facebook to say they had received a doctor's letter for me I would either think (a) they were trying to scam me somehow or (b) that if it was true they must have read it all in detail in order to be able to find me online - it feels stalkerish and a further invasion of privacy. You've done the right thing, but leave it there as it's for the surgery to sort out now and they are obliged to tell her what happened anyway.

Edited

Agree with this entirely

sammylady37 · 10/02/2026 19:44

Why would you contact her on Facebook? How intrusive!

Sailawaygirl · 10/02/2026 19:41

They will tell her as its a big mistake and she will feel much more relieved if she knows the other woman shredded the letter and didn't read it or figure out who it was.

Call the hospital ASAP and the gp Dr's secretary as well if appropriate

user1471457354 · 10/02/2026 19:40

Once you notify the practise they will be required to inform the other patient of the breach and they will need to report it to the ICO. https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/report-a-breach/personal-data-breach/personal-data-breaches-a-guide/

Personal data breaches: a guide

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/report-a-breach/personal-data-breach/personal-data-breaches-a-guide

JustGiveMeTheNoodles · 10/02/2026 19:40

Companies have an obligation to record or report any breach. Contact her doctor and advise them this is what they need to do, so they dont try and hide it

Auroraloves · 10/02/2026 19:38

TheShyDeer · 10/02/2026 19:36

I know it is strange to message her but I suppose what I’m trying to say is I would want to know and I’m not convinced the doctors/hospital will inform her.

They have to tell her

Arlanymor · 10/02/2026 19:38

If someone I didn't know messaged me on Facebook to say they had received a doctor's letter for me I would either think (a) they were trying to scam me somehow or (b) that if it was true they must have read it all in detail in order to be able to find me online - it feels stalkerish and a further invasion of privacy. You've done the right thing, but leave it there as it's for the surgery to sort out now and they are obliged to tell her what happened anyway.

noctilucentcloud · 10/02/2026 19:37

No don't contact her. There's a chance you might have got the wrong person or she needs to get the information in the letter from her doctors. Contact the doctors like you plan and then do what they say to do with the letter. The doctors should inform her that this has happened.

Original poster
TheShyDeer · 10/02/2026 19:36

I know it is strange to message her but I suppose what I’m trying to say is I would want to know and I’m not convinced the doctors/hospital will inform her.

OP posts:
tedlassoforprimeminister · 10/02/2026 19:35

Major GDPR breach. Do not contact her. Contact both the dr who sent the letter and the one it was addressed to.

justdontrelateanymore · 10/02/2026 19:35

TheShyDeer · 10/02/2026 19:32

Yes. I received both mine and her letter in the same envelope.

Show quote history

Oh no! Yeah I'd just drop the letter at the GP if it was close by, or shred it.

Don't contact the woman! Huge gdpr accident from the hospital x

Original poster
TheShyDeer · 10/02/2026 19:32

justdontrelateanymore · 10/02/2026 19:31

So your letter arrived, but enclosed was also another woman's letter?

Yes. I received both mine and her letter in the same envelope.

OP posts:
JackGrealishsCalves · 10/02/2026 19:32

Don't contact the lady, just call the surgery and let them know, they can arrange for it to be re-sent to her.
Let the surgery investigate how it happened

Brewtiful · 10/02/2026 19:31

Don't message the women contact the hospital and GP and let them know what has happened.

justdontrelateanymore · 10/02/2026 19:31

So your letter arrived, but enclosed was also another woman's letter?

toomuchfaff · 10/02/2026 19:29

Dont message her; message the doctors.

Its their GDPR breach.