Data protection in hospital

[Becca19962014]

There's a chance I'll be unfortunately going back into hospital which for me is terrifying, I've a very bad medical phobia. where I'd be going has a massive whiteboard up with people's names and dates of birth and why they're there.

Anyone visiting or in the department e.g. Staff/Patients can see it.

Some one who frequently goes there has assulted me and stalks me (it's a tiny place so doubles as a&e and a ward).I've spoken to police but nothing can be done as he's ill, I live in terror of being in a vulnerable place with him again (he first assulted me in hospital years ago and staff did nothing, again, because he's ill - he's told me he can do what he likes to me because he just needs to tell people he's ill). I know he was there when I was last in because he said he'd seen my name on the board shortly after I left and he knew why I was there (my conditions rare whilst my name is not so I'm fully identifiable).

I'm terrified of going in anyway that board makes it worse!

So anyone know if there Is there any way this information can be removed?

Absolutely. Tell them you don't want your name up and as much as you want to about why (best to tell the staff as much as possible). I worked on a ward once where due to some privacy reason (famous maybe?) only the nurse in charge and the consultant were allowed to know one patient's real name. You'll probably need to tell A&E and each ward you go to because the NHS isn't great at communicating.

I don't believe nothing can be done just because he's ill. It may be more difficult, but I'm sure stuff can be done.

I think there is a very clear safeguarding rationale here as well as data protection. I would write a letter in advance outlining your concerns and asking them to change procedures to manage your safety. Copy in the Caldicott Guardian, Adult Safeguarding Lead and PALS.

I did last time I was there but given they're the people who are telling me he's just ill and I should chill out and ignore him because he doesn't mean it I can't face discussing it again. I'm frightened enough without being hurt by being told it doesn't matter.

I don't mean any offence to people with mh issues, I don't believe he doesn't know what he's doing but they do and unlike him, he's got a "real" mental illness, I'm borderline and considered dirt (hence him singling me out and being believed).

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I've tried but literally all that happens is social services/psychiatrist are called, he apparently cries, says he doesn't know where he is or what he's doing and gets taken to hospital or home.

How do I know? Because he's told me.

He's known to police for doing this, he's done it to other women and other women in hospital as well. They're not impressed nothing can be done. I could tell they were frustrated when I last reported him and literally all that happened was he was sent home for visits by crisis team.

The exact prhase used by the psychiatrist I saw was "you can't expect him to know better, he's very ill, be the bigger person and deal with it".

Can you go to a bigger hospital?

Sadly no, i can't travel far due to disabilities and, I still wouldn't be able to go in hospital transport (am very rural).