Breach of confidentiality by midwife?

[NotADailyMailJournalist]

Hello

My neighbour texted me today to ask if I could take in a package of some medication being delivered for her. I said no bother. Thought it would be royal mail or something.

In fact it was a midwife in uniform who turned up. She handed me 2 bottles of movi-prep and a box of tablets labelled "take 1 on morning of caesarean section" or something. ( I wasn't meaning to look, it just sort of caught my eye)

I felt a wee bit embarrassed handing them to neighbour as she sort of knows that I know what is happening!

Was this a bit naughty of the midwife? Should she not have at least put the items in a bag or something?

Just interested in opinions.

Thanks

She was doing what your neighbour asked. I wouldn't see this as any sort of breach.

Erm. No it's fine

She was asked by her neighbours.

How and why would it be a breach?

Your neighbour had consented to the medication being given to you so no breech of confidentiality.

No, your neighbour made the arrangement and she knew what the midwife was bringing.

I'm a bit puzzled about why a midwife would be wasting her time delivering medication, though. Why didn't the patient go and collect it?

The medication is for your neighbour who asked you to receive these medications for her. So no, the midwife did what she was asked to do by your neighbour. No issue here. Your neighbour obviously trusts you.

As she asked you to take it in I think it’s fine. She consented to you knowing about what the delivery was when she asked you to take it in.

why were you embarrssed? did you know the neighbour was pregnant? she's very clearly having a planned c-section, whats to be ashamed of?

your neighbour either trusts you or seriously doesnt care..

Thanks for the responses! I have limited experience in this area so just wondered on the general opinion.

As it was agreed what's the issue? Hardly something sensitive like abortion pills. Just regular meds for someone in Kate pregnancy about to have a c section

Yeah neighbour is visibly pregnant, it's no secret.

And I am not perturbed in the slightest, i've taken movi-prep myself albeit never had a c-section.

I don't know my neighbour though and I was sort of worried SHE might feel uncomfortable that I basically know she's going to be shitting through the eye of a needle and is having a c-section. Nothing to be embarrassed about, it's just that it's literally not my business.

If it were me, I wouldn't be bothered about my neighbours knowing that I was taking movi-prep and having a c-section BUT I would just have though you would hand the items over to a neighbour in a bag or something to retain her privacy a little. So if I were my pregnant neighbour, I would not have assumed my permission to "deliver medication to my neighbour" would equal "and it's fine for my neighbour to know my medical details" when it could be avoided.

your neighbour is probably 'over' her pregnancy now and just wants baby out.. she won't care who knows she can't shit!

they have not delivered STI medication, its laxatives...

Yep. We're all in a block of 6 flats and they are aware that I WFH so I'm the obvious person to ask. They haven't been here that long.

And yes, the midwife literally handed me two small bottles of lemon-flavour movi-prep and a box of tablets with a label referring to a c-section.

No idea why midwife is delivering meds. (Or she may have been some other sort of nurse or health visitor or something, she was certainly in uniform)

Good point raised by a pp - what if it WERE sensitive meds? Eg abortion pills or something. Would they have put it in a bag then?!

the midwife is not my neighbour. Only the pregnant woman is my neighbour.

My neighbour has often accepted my meds as they have to go in the fridge straight away
I only say yes to deliver to them being aware they may see the medication if that makes sense

So if I was worried about the contents or didn't want them seeing I wouldn't say deliver to neighbour

If she asked you to accept the meds she obviously wasn't concerned about her privacy. There's no shame in a c-section.

Really not an issue. You just did a favour, as asked!
The real issue- why is the midwife delivering medications to someone who isn't housebound? Is this normal in your area? I find it an astonishing waste of nursing hours! We pick up our own prescriptions in my area!

@snowlady4 I know eh! I mean perhaps it was a private midwife or something? If such a thing exists! We're in a very lower-middle class area though, not some fancy-pants area where people are going to the Portland for their c-section! We're in a major city in Scotland if that matters.

And for the avoidance of doubt, yes there is nothing shameful about a c-section or about laxatives! Just...I dunno...because when I pick up my dad's various medications from the chemist, it's always in a sealed paper bag. Maybe for practical reasons rather than his privacy mind you.

Community midwife on her rounds?
Patient feeling too unwell to collect in person?