Aibu to think my Gp broke patient confidentiality?

[hellsbellstree]

I've nc to not out myself, and I know this is a sensitive subject.

I attended a Gp appointment and after booking in I took a seat in the waiting room.

There was a couple of patients already waiting, and I took notice of the board on the wall that bleeps and displays the patients name and Gp room number and name, indicating to go through.

I had been told a few weeks ago the dr that I would be seeing, and I knew what other dr was on as his name came up to call one of the other women through to their appt. I've seen him before so recognised his name, and I think he is a locum.

I then was called to my appointment, and it was with the Gp that I'd been told I would see, and he is in charge of the practice.

This Gp is very old school, and a bit arrogant, he had another Gp possibly training, sitting in the corner. He didn't mention who this person was or whether I minded their presence. I wasn't fussed by this person as I just wanted to get on with the appointment and I didn't mind them being there.

Sorry to ramble. Next thing I know the locum walks into the room clutching forms and asking the Gp I was seeing if these were the correct forms for referral for a termination, that his patient is waiting and he needed to know which part he needs to sign.

So I'm sitting there whilst my Gp then proceeds to say how he never signs termination forms, will never do the referral, but yes that is the correct form and told the locum what needed signing etc. The locum leaves the room and the Gp then starts a rant to the other person in the room (trainee Gp?) why he won't sign these forms and how he had learnt the hard way......

So aibu to think this is a complete break of confidentiality? I felt so enraged on behalf of the locum's patient.

Shall I complain or am I being a bit over the top?

Re the PCT being the next port of call - this is no longer the case. PCTs are now CCGs, and they do not commission GP services anymore. I.e. It is pointless approaching them.

GP services are commissioned by NHS England so all complaints etc should be directed to them.

Agree CQC contact would be appropriate but I honestly don't know how effective they would be. They can be a bit toothless in some areas.

Yes,I feel they totally did breech confidentiality. Imagine if the patient whose name you knew was a celeb and you worked for TMZ or similar? Or you were her hateful nosy neighbor who couldn't wait to spread it around or tell her husband, who may not have known and could have had terrible consequences if he were violent? It is like the type of thing that happens on my soap opera!

I like to put myself in the other persons shoes. So I would think, if I were the woman who wanted the termination, would I be unhappy other persons knew why I was there? The answer in my case would be "Yes"

That would never ever happen in my doctors office. He would not even take a call with someone in the room, never mind having a random un introduced stranger in the corner and incompetent persons bursting it the room talking business in front of a patient.
I would change doctors after this.

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm going to complain. It's unacceptable and like I said, I felt as if I was intruding on a private conversation.

The practice manager is definitely his wife, so I'd be interested to learn how they respond. I will mention my intentions to take this further, and if I do not feel their response is adequate I will add this to their list of incompetent actions.

Was going to say I don't like the idea of names being displayed. But....our GPs come into the waiting room and call our names, so that's not exactly confidential either I sppose.

But, yes, you have a valid complaint. Also, if he was training a student (let's hope!), then that student has been set a very bad example.

Yanbu

What if you knew the person having an abortion? Or they were a relative?

I would let them know but I'm not sure I'd complain.

Am sitting here open-mouthed. Allalonenow is absolutely right with her list of about half a dozen things wrong with the consultation. Appalling.

If you could work out who the patient was they have broken patient confidentiality although they obviously didn't realise what they were doing. They have certainly very unprofessionally. I would complain and transfer to a different practice.