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Original poster

I think doctor has broken confidentiality

35 replies

Redruns · 21/10/2024 15:09

It doesn't really matter, but I'm still surprised that he was so comfortable doing it/not so aware of it that it wouldn't cross his mind.

I'm also impressed surprised that he even remembered the details and tied them to me and the relative he discussed them with.

I had an injury, which I sought treatment for at mjnor injuries. By coincidence, I had a GP appointment on the same day and as my face was a mess, I explained what had happened.

My dad saw same GP a few days later. GP had not only looked up what happened to me at minor injuries, but told my dad all about my experience there. Basicially I had a dislocation that took a lot of attempts to put back.

It's nothing particularly personal and as it happens nothing I hadn't told dad already, but they still shouldn't have discussed it?

I wouldn't want my Dad to know what I was actually at GP for, and hadn't told him I was going, so that did mean he asked why I was there, when I wouldn't have told him!

OP posts:
SailingOnAWave · 21/10/2024 15:12

Okay I have worked in this profession. You shouldn't be looking up notes on patients just for the sake of it, only if there is an active role in your care with the particular issue.

Secondly no it's not for discussion with other relatives.

Is he an "older doctor" out of interest?

Original poster
Redruns · 21/10/2024 15:14

SailingOnAWave · 21/10/2024 15:12

Okay I have worked in this profession. You shouldn't be looking up notes on patients just for the sake of it, only if there is an active role in your care with the particular issue.

Secondly no it's not for discussion with other relatives.

Is he an "older doctor" out of interest?

No he's a young (well relative to me) man who has been really helpful and supportive in treating my menopause problems. Not old school at all.

OP posts:
Derbee · 21/10/2024 15:16

It doesn’t matter how friendly or helpful you find this doctor. I would report him immediately. It’s a total breach of patient confidentiality.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
waitingandwaitinggg · 21/10/2024 15:17

Yep no one is allowed to look at your notes unless they're giving you care or part of your care.

Original poster
Redruns · 21/10/2024 15:18

I saw him again today and he actually mentioned the conversation he'd had with my Dad. The whole thing is just really weird, like he doesn't even realise he shouldn't have done it.

OP posts:
IdWantThatManInMyLifeboat · 21/10/2024 15:21

It does matter, and the Dr absolutely shouldn’t have done it. You may not think it warrants a complaint, but maybe a polite mention that it’s inappropriate wouldn’t go amiss.

If I have patients (although not an GP) and they say “you saw my wife/son/daughter yesterday..” my response is always a lighthearted ‘I couldn’t possibly confirm or deny that”, and it’s the end of the conversation. I wouldn’t engage in discussion, and I certainly wouldn’t pass confidential patient’s information on to their spouse, sibling, parent or offspring.

Original poster
Redruns · 21/10/2024 15:24

IdWantThatManInMyLifeboat · 21/10/2024 15:21

It does matter, and the Dr absolutely shouldn’t have done it. You may not think it warrants a complaint, but maybe a polite mention that it’s inappropriate wouldn’t go amiss.

If I have patients (although not an GP) and they say “you saw my wife/son/daughter yesterday..” my response is always a lighthearted ‘I couldn’t possibly confirm or deny that”, and it’s the end of the conversation. I wouldn’t engage in discussion, and I certainly wouldn’t pass confidential patient’s information on to their spouse, sibling, parent or offspring.

Yes, my parents also see my osteopath, on my recommendation. He might occasionally ask me how they are, but he never tells me when he last saw them or any details of their ailments or treatment.

OP posts:
Gettingannoyednow · 21/10/2024 15:26

That's very bad and there's no way he doesn't know better. He could put someone in serious danger through sharing medical info with their family. Please report him.

LunaMay · 21/10/2024 15:42

I had this issue when my mum and i shared a doctor.
My mum couldn't understand that it was not right for the doctor to talk to her about what i had going on. Admittedly i was awful for following up and taking medications properly but still, i was in my 20's!

I put up with it then as she had been the family doctor forever and i didnt want the hassle of going through everything with a new doctor. These days i'd say something.

Yougetmoreofwhatyoufocuson · 21/10/2024 15:43

I would write to the Dr and remind him that what he is doing is totally inappropriate and unacceptable.

Lifelover16 · 21/10/2024 15:52

it is a very serious breach of privacy.
There are rules in place that any HCP should only access your records for purposes of care - not just curiosity.
The doctor should not disclose that you have even had an appointment, let alone the medical reason. Your injuries may have been something you did wish to be disclosed to your father.

Original poster
Redruns · 21/10/2024 15:56

Lifelover16 · 21/10/2024 15:52

it is a very serious breach of privacy.
There are rules in place that any HCP should only access your records for purposes of care - not just curiosity.
The doctor should not disclose that you have even had an appointment, let alone the medical reason. Your injuries may have been something you did wish to be disclosed to your father.

That's what I'd have thought. But 4 months after the original event he actually mentioned it to me today, without a care in the world. Thereby also telling me that he'd seen my father.

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 21/10/2024 15:56

Yougetmoreofwhatyoufocuson · 21/10/2024 15:43

I would write to the Dr and remind him that what he is doing is totally inappropriate and unacceptable.

I would formally complain to the surgery.

Catlord · 21/10/2024 15:58

That's a very clear breach of confidentiality.

I can see why he may have had a glance at walk in centre notes for context (and perhaps safeguarding if you had injuries). I would have thought that was within standard practice.

However, merrily repeating it to your dad, absolutely not. That's worthy of a complaint, however nice and competent he is. Doesn't have to push for serious consequences but he shouldn't have discussed anything about your care with a family member in that way.

Candleabra · 21/10/2024 16:01

He’s broken several rules and they’re really drummed into HCP so there’s no way he doesn’t know it’s wrong. I would definitely complain to the practice.

nocoolnamesleft · 21/10/2024 16:01

Please make a complaint. It sounds like the idiot doesn't even realise this isn't on, and for the next person he could let slip something sensitive. There is definitely a training need here.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 21/10/2024 17:24

Redruns · 21/10/2024 15:18

I saw him again today and he actually mentioned the conversation he'd had with my Dad. The whole thing is just really weird, like he doesn't even realise he shouldn't have done it.

I think that was the time to have said to him that you are not happy with his actions.

Personally I would have been furious if my GP had spoken to my dad about my having to access medical treatment.

I probably wouldn't have gone as far as any reporting but I would have made it clear that it was inappropriate and that he shouldn't do it again.

Andwhatfreshhellisthis · 21/10/2024 17:33

Redruns · 21/10/2024 15:18

I saw him again today and he actually mentioned the conversation he'd had with my Dad. The whole thing is just really weird, like he doesn't even realise he shouldn't have done it.

Report him.

Fireworkstonight · 21/10/2024 17:37

I am very surprised at that. I find doctors are ultra careful about only discussing matters with the patient. (I occasionally call the gp re my elderly parents and teenagers.)

Gettingannoyednow · 21/10/2024 17:38

I think that was the time to have said to him that you are not happy with his actions.

People often fall back on being polite when they're shocked by the actions of a person in a position of authority. It's fine for OP to take time to reflect on the situation and decide what to do later.

TeamPlaying · 21/10/2024 17:47

Looking up your records without cause is unacceptable, depending on the exact circumstances I can see that it’s possible he looked for context of your appointment. I know when I went to the doctor after a nasty incident but for something else the doctor mentioned the other incident, which felt appropriate under their duty of care.

However there is no excuse for telling your father about your treatment, or that he had seen you. And there’s no excuse for telling you that he had seen your Dad either.

I would absolutely report. Either he doesn’t understand what he’s done or he doesn’t care. Neither is acceptable in a healthcare professional who has access to all sorts of sensitive personal data.

Original poster
Redruns · 21/10/2024 17:52

When I heard (from my Dad) that GP knew about the ordeal I'd been through at minor injuries, while they wrestled to put it back, tbh my first thought was how contentious GP had been in taking an interest in my outcome.

OP posts:
godmum56 · 21/10/2024 18:06

Totally unnacceptable and please report. You may have not been upset by this but its just not allowed.

Runskiyoga · 21/10/2024 18:33

I think if the actual breach didn't harm you, could you perhaps just speak to him about it, saying you didn't appreciate it. Then he can learn but not be reported. If you put it in writing it seems more formal. Of course totally acceptable to complain formally.

DeliciousApples · 21/10/2024 18:36

Does your dad work there or something?

Are you a minor?

Or have you signed papers to say that someone else is allowed to access your records because you have additional learning needs and your dads involvement helps you?

What's the backstory please?

I do hope you are not being abused by some violent man. And I hope you're recovering well.