to think this is just not on?!

[LadyBaiter]

Had a driving lesson this afternoon. Mum round to babysit.

Hospital rings whilst I am out:

Hospital: Can I speak to Mrs Baiter please
Mum: Sorry, she's not here
Hospital: Oh ok, can you just let her know that her 12 week scan is booked for ....

We have told no-one about the pregnancy. Was waiting to have the dating scan first (mainly because we're not sure how far gone I am).

So my Mum has been told, by a stranger on the end of the phone

I have called the hospital, and spoken to the lady that made the original call, her words: 'Sorry, that was the number we were given for you, all I can do is apologise' then she giggled.

Surely this can't be 'just one of those things' like she implied?

many congrats, but totally unacceptable by hospital

Formal complaint is definitely in order. As has already been said, it's a definite breachof the data protection act. Just because you gave that number doesn't mean you want anyone who picks up that phone to know exactly what is going on.

Congratulations, but I would be fuming in your shoes!

I think a formal complaint is the way to go.

YANBU.
Serious issue anywhere, but in health service, it is sensitive data and a massive breach of data protection legislation.

Get on it, right now. Complain your arse off, and don't accept any flannel off anyone about "these things happen etc" it's a crock of sh*t!

PS. Good luck for the scan!

not a mistake at all. just plain laziness to save her phoning back another time. it was a breach of confidentiality. definitely make a formal complaint. i used to work for a bank and the same rules apply, if the person we are looking for we had to say, could you ask mrs X to contact her bank. we weren't alowwed to say which bank or any other details just that simple message.

congratulations BTW

What all the other posters said about breach of data protection and caldicott act. I work in hospital management. It is most definitely not on to do this kind of thing. Our Trust runs regular training sessions for all staff and it is part of new worker's induction process. Both mandatory. I would follow it up with letter to caldicott guardian of the Trust.

There is a much quoted incident like this which ended in an 'honour killing'- a family member found out in this way about an unmarried womans pregnancy. The possible ramifications from these 'blips' are huge. Deffo follow up

I agree with herjazz. I work in the NHS and would be roasted alive if I spoke to the wrong person. Quite right too.

It can be problematic when you worry a family member unnecessarily that there's a weird person on the phone who won't say who they are or where they are ringing from (the name of our hospital would give the game away) but may leave a number to be called back on.

YANBU. Complain.

As for the lady giggling about it, I'd be even more pissed off and want a proper apology. Youcoulod have all sorts of reasons for not telling anyone yet.

congratulations btw

Congratulations!

And complain, complain, complain. Patient confidentiality is not a difficult concept to grasp & this person clearly needs more training on their phone manner too. Immature laughter just doesn't cut it as an apology in my book.

Oh and for the record, YA definitely NBU

I agree with the others who said it doesn't matter that this appointment was for a scan, no medical details should be given to another person.

For instance I have been having phisiotherapy, but don't want my mother asking about it and making a big deal of my injury that was really a simple thing. (She just makes a big deal of everything!). And I'd be livid if she was told about it by someone phoning about my appointment. So even though its only a simple appointment for exercises, it's my business who I tell.

I would complain hugely and loudly about your situation. It could've caused a huge problem for you, for all they know.

Congratulations

You should complain - that way protocols can be put in place so prevent it happening again. When I ring someone - of I get to amswerphone I leave my name and mobile (if i am sure it is correct number but not where I work/job title etc). If I need to go through switchboard etc to speak to someone (we are often given work numbers as a contact) I never give any more info than my first name and that I wish to speak to certain individual.

I have had complaint made about me because I would not disclose confidential information to someone else over the phone -

When I was first pregnant with DD my midwife wouldn't even say who she was when my DH answered my phone, just could I please call the doctors when I had chance.

Totally out of order, YADNBU

yanbu. I hope you do complain so that the woman you spoke to gets retrained.

YADefinitelyNBU! What a bloody cheek! Complain to the Chief Exec of the PCT, and copy your complaint to the Chair of the PCT. This is a shocking breach on confidentiality!

Please complain. This is appalling and they should not be let off with it. What if you'd been someone in a vulnerable situation? Maybe a teenager, or an unmarried woman from a very religious family, or any number of scenarios.

And even without that, they're just not allowed to give personal details like that over the phone. No way. I can't believe that anyone who works in a hospital could be such a complete idiot. Bloody hell.

Awful behaviour. Complain.

You need to lodge a formal complaint. That really isn't on. Massive breach of confidentiality. Totally unacceptable.

YADNBU, totally unacceptable. Must have been a shame for your mum to find out that way rather than from you.

Similar happened to me with DD1. Midwife rang my house to arrange the booking in appointment. I was out, so she told my flatmate to let me know the midwife rang to book me in. Wouldn't be so bad until he decided to take it upon him self to announce it to everyone the very same day

On a brighter note, congratulations

Huge breach of patient confidentiality and actually against the law. No question about it. I would definitely be making a formal complaint. For those who say that it isn't that bad (could be revealing STD result etc) - that isn't the receptionist's call to make. The is a bright line rule that says that patient information should not be revealed without their consent. Full stop. Medical staff and their assistants shouldn't be making their own judgments about what should be kept confidential.

NHS IT and data bod here - complain, complain, complain. I'd lose my job if I pulled a stunt like that, and rightly so.

The fines for this sort of thing, by the way, are ASTRONOMICAL - so the Trust should be taking this very seriously.

I used to work in banking and due to the Data Protection Act we were not allowed to so much as say where we were calling from if a third party answered the phone.

Your health information is covered by the DPA and as such this woman has broken the law. You could, in theory sue the NHS. Linky HERE

I would be bloody furious!! I hope you're feeling okay. Maybe contact PALS?

Congratulations :)

Same happened to me!

"It was a confirmation of an appointment that happened to be in antenatal. It's not like she gave out your STD test results is it?"

Irrelevant: the DPA is reason enough but the caller also had no idea of what the possible implications of giving anyone else but OP that information (I'm thinking domestic violence in particular).

YANBU