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Original poster

Is this an NHS data protection breach?

63 replies

thearty1 · 18/01/2019 10:03

The other day, I had a phone call, from a very young sounding young man, claiming to be a student, training at my doctor's surgery. (The number he called from was one digit out from the surgery appointment line, so I assumed he was who he said he was)

He said he wanted to discuss historical conditions, and to find out where I am now. He then dug up something that happened to me in 1989. An incident that was so traumatic, that I had to move schools at the time and undertake hypnotherapy to try and erase the memory.
I was fortunately strong enough to move on, and I put this behind me nearly 30 years ago. I've not thought about this since then.

I've been a f*ing mess since this boys phone call. I feel violated, devastated and I'm so angry that this has been shoved back into my face in the most cruelly callous way. I was at work when he called me. It was only by chance that I didn't have the call on speakerphone, as I often do. Thank god I didn't.

Firstly....I did not give permission for students to access my personal health records.
Has my doctor's surgery acted illegally by allowing this boy full access?

Secondly... I didnt' think they had records on file from that long ago. No doctor, or midwife, etc has ever brought this up before.

Thirdly....This student boy also wanted to know more all about a current, rather embarrassing womens condition, which I'm being treated for privately, because his surgery decided it didn't warrant NHS treatment. It's deemed to be more cosmetic rather than medical. I absolutely understood and accepted that, and i was happy to go to a private clinic elsewhere. I am aware that the private clinic do pass my records to my GP surgery. BUT I do not wish to discuss this with anyone else other than my doctor who is treating me, and certainly not student boys ringing me up randomly whilst at work.

Since this phone call I feel so angry and so sick.
What should I do?

OP posts:
combatbarbie · 18/01/2019 15:42

When are you seeing the practise manager because this all sounds very strange!

Sicario · 18/01/2019 15:59

I'd be straight in the car and down to the surgery demanding some answers.

ChrisjenAvasarala · 18/01/2019 16:05

Practice managers tend to take these things seriously. You will get the odd one who fobbs you off, but they really are usually on the ball. They don't want complaints about the surgery going further or public. It's worth speaking to them first.

FenellaMaxwell · 18/01/2019 16:07

None of this sounds right.

CantBeArsed99 · 18/01/2019 16:11

I work at a GP surgery and this should categorically NOT have happened.

I would advise perhaps calling the surgery now and asking to speak to the duty doctor as a matter of urgency (or getting a call back) You do not have to tell the receptionist what it's about.

Explain to duty doc what has occurred and ask them to start an investigation - they will be able to see who has accessed your notes - and and will direct it to the most appropriate person. Practice managers aren't always available but this is an urgent data protection breach and as PP have said, this student might be calling other, even more vulnerable, patients so it needs to be stopped.

Hope you're ok and hope this gets sorted out.
In addition, did you know you can request a FULL copy of ALL your notes, on paper, free of charge, from your surgery? You have to give them reasonable time to print/copy them.

And if receptionists are speaking out of term outside work, please please report them, anonymously if necessary. They are giving the rest of us a bad name!

Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 18/01/2019 16:17

I think taking this up with the practice manager before seeking legal advice would be the right course of action.

The NHS has levels of access to staff records & can see who accessed whose record when.

Lycanthropology · 18/01/2019 16:23

This is horrific. Not only an illegal privacy breach, but this person chose two particuar things to ask you about: one traumatic and one embarrassing. This doesn't sound legit at all, more like someone bring cruel for kicks Sad.

You need to phone your surgery TODAY, OP.

Gazelda · 18/01/2019 16:30

OP, I'd copy and paste your opening post (with a few edits) and emAil it to the practice manager today. Don't leave it over the weekend.
This sounds very wrong and needs investigating. At the very least, a debrief meeting with a GP is needed so that you can deal with the feelings that have been sparked by your conversation with the student.

FabulouslyGlamorousFerret · 18/01/2019 17:14

When I was 14, I had a 'Doctor' ring me apparently from my practice, he knew my date of birth and full name so I assumed all was above board, he then proceeded to ask if I was a virgin, when I told him I was he then asked when I was planning on being 'fucked for the first time'!

It really freaked me out and I didn't even tell my parents - I was terrified. It was obviously some filthy old pervert that had misappropriated my details from somewhere. 🤬

scaryteacher · 18/01/2019 17:53

Have you tried phoning the number back that you were called from and seeing who answers?

marvellousnightforamooncup · 18/01/2019 18:10

I would be worried the info has been hacked from somewhere. Call the doctor ASAP.

cheesywotnots · 18/01/2019 18:16

I would make an urgent appointment to speak to the g.p. and the practice manager, it sounds very strange and needs investigating.

Maelstrop · 18/01/2019 18:21

This is so weird and I’m sorry it’s happened to you. Please take this as far as you can. Hopefully no-one else will be affected if you kick up a fuss. So bizarre.

Bebe03 · 18/01/2019 18:30

It wouldn’t be a medical student they NEVER conduct interviews over the phone. You also need to give your consent first.

It will be a data breach if its occurred.

Please discuss this with them before taking legal action, you may be able to resolve it in house rather than involving solicitors

YeOldeTrout · 18/01/2019 18:52

OP has scarpered... wonder if there is a total Arse in their lives who pulled this as some kind of prank.

marvellousnightforamooncup · 18/01/2019 18:56

Good point Trout. It could be someone she knows. Sounds like some kind of wind up.

SlowNorris · 18/01/2019 19:13

Have you tried phoning the number back that you were called from and seeing who answers?

Seconded

Original poster
thearty1 · 18/01/2019 19:41

To YeOldTrout. I've not scarpered! My last post was before school pick up. Since then I've been trying to forget this for a few hours, and be a happy mum to them!!!

Wow. "Marvelousnightforamooncup" that is pretty cruel actually.

I have the advice and back up I needed now thanks so mucb to everyone who replied. I needed reassurance that it wasn't right to be contacted in this manner by a student, and i will be taking it further. I'll ask admin to delete this now, as cruel posts like the one from mooncup are not very nice at all, when you're feeling as shit as I do right now.

OP posts:
cheesywotnots · 18/01/2019 19:44

Hope you get it sorted out quickly, take care and try not to worry about unkind commentsFlowers

titchy · 18/01/2019 19:45

What's mooncup said that's cruel Confused- she just pointed out it's probably a very nasty prank. Which I agree with tbh.

Original poster
thearty1 · 18/01/2019 19:53

Oh yes, after re reading i see that now! Apologies.

Well unfortunately I don't think it was a wind up. The number is the same as the surgery appointment line, apart from the last digit. I've not called it back, but i assume it's from the surgery.

OP posts:
Original poster
thearty1 · 18/01/2019 19:54

I plan to sit on it over the weekend, and call on Monday to address this some way or another.

Thank you again, for the help.

OP posts:
robrobinson · 18/01/2019 19:59

This must be a hacker rather than a student surely? I echo what others have said. I would have driven down and requested an immediate appointment with practice manager and it lead doctor. Other people will have been affected too I bet.

marvellousnightforamooncup · 18/01/2019 20:02

I didn't mean you were on the wind up but rather you're a victim of a prank.

SockQueen · 18/01/2019 22:24

One number different could be a different extension at the surgery, or could be a clever way for a hacker/wind-up merchant to make you think it's the surgery. Have you at least googled it, if not called it back?

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