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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to worry my twin will access my health records and my families records?

47 replies

Evilstepmum01 · 08/10/2016 20:56

Some of you will know from previous posts that my twin sister is not the nicest person and has never treated me as an equal. I wont go into the back story except to say I went NC two years ago and twin has decided to fall out with our mum and another sister also.
All fine until I find out she's got a job (she's a nurse) at our local health centre. I feel sick because in the past she's divulged confidential info on people we know to me and my mum and to others. I know fine well she will nosey at our health records (my mum and I have had MH issues over the last 2 or 3 years) and I feel very very uncomfortable with her having access to our records. She wont be able to help herself-she's very fixated and obsessive when she hates someone.
So, what do I do? We cant move to a different GP practice as its only a small town with one practice. Is there anything we can do?
To avoid drip-feeding, her husband is a postman and last year we believe he opened our wedding correspondence as it arrived ripped open and then he started asking questions about my secret wedding. (we're not the only person whose mail arrives opened on his round).
Clearly, I'm aware we have absolutely no proof and I'm prepared to be flamed if I'm B U, but I feel sick at the thought of her laughing at my records.

OP posts:
YuckYuckEwwww · 08/10/2016 22:09

I feel sick because in the past she's divulged confidential info on people we know to me and my mum and to others.

Actually you should have reported her then

^ that

If you know that to be true why have you not reported her?

deathandtaxes123 · 08/10/2016 22:10

Ah this sounds horrible and I'd be worried too.

I'd phone the practice first thing on Monday and make your concerns known to the practice manager and I'd then get it in writing that your records (and your family's) have been locked.

deathandtaxes123 · 08/10/2016 22:13

Its also reminded that my mum knew a woman years ago who worked in the local hospital well call her Jane. My mum was out one day and bumped into her other friend's elderly mother who said to her in the course of the conversation "oh Jane tells me you've not been well" it turns out she'd read and divulged my mum's medical records. My mum was stunned but never took it any further. I wish she had. I don't like Jane Angry

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 08/10/2016 22:16

I would report anyone using their professional status to access medical records without clinical need. It's not about revenge, it's about abuse of power.

In my trust we have to justify every record we access and it's all logged electronically. If I access notes without clinical reason I could be struck off by the NMC and disciplined by my Trust. Data protection is taken very seriously for good reason.

Original poster
Evilstepmum01 · 08/10/2016 22:18

Actually you should have reported her then

You're right, I should have. It was 10 years ago and I was just honoured that she spoke to me.

No excuse, I didnt know about her telling my mum about other folk until recently.

OP posts:
Original poster
Evilstepmum01 · 08/10/2016 22:21

Doyouthinktheysaurus, thanks, so records accessed are electronically logged?

I'd like to think shes not that stupid, but I dont want to live with the worry that she will IYSWIM Hmm

OP posts:
YuckYuckEwwww · 08/10/2016 22:25

10 years ago things were much more lax, people who had blood tests checked out their own results on the work computer etc. Not now.

It's not too late to do something about what happened 10 years ago, at the very least you could let the person know their data was breeched so they have the option of having it investigated

Original poster
Evilstepmum01 · 08/10/2016 22:32

the people we knew about 10 years ago, some have sadly died, the other two..ones horrible and I wouldnt speak to her and the other one is long gone I think!

Not sure I can do much without proof TBH! With no proof I just look like the bitter twin dont I?

OP posts:
PoppyBirdOnAWire · 08/10/2016 22:35

Twins. I thought twins were so close.

YuckYuckEwwww · 08/10/2016 22:36

I just want confidentiality as is my right

It's a right for "horrible" people too!
You have "proof" - you know their medical details!

TopazRocks · 08/10/2016 22:39

You should certainly relay your concerns to the practice manager. There would be NO valid reason why your sister should access the files of any family member. If she did so, she'd be dismissed. And it would be easy enough for the practice manager to check, esp once she is aware this could be a problem.

Bellyrub1980 · 08/10/2016 22:40

I work in the NHS and the patient record software we use tracks who opens computer files. I know because I opened my own file to have a nosey and nostalgic read of my health visitor notes. I was contacted by the IT team saying "you accessed this file on this date and this time and viewed the progress notes, can you please explain why you viewed notes of this person when they are not registered as your patient?" And I don't have any restrictions on who can view my records! (I had to admit my reasons and got a slapped wrist, quite rightly).

Anyhoo, with computer data you are probably safe, but with paper notes you may want to alert the practice manager and ask her to take special measures to ensure your sister cannot access them.

Original poster
Evilstepmum01 · 08/10/2016 22:42

Poppy-she's always been embarassed by me. I've never been smart enough or neat enough or well, good enough for her.

I'm not sure folk will want their abortions and stomach-pumping/drugs issues brought up after 10 years!!

OP posts:
RhodaBorrocks · 08/10/2016 22:52

In the NHS if you even look up your OWN records in work time it's a disciplinary offense, it's very clear in the contracts.

This. In my Trust it can be a sackable offence. And it extends to looking up family, friends etc.

I was contacted by the IT team saying "you accessed this file on this date and this time and viewed the progress notes, can you please explain why you viewed notes of this person when they are not registered as your patient?"

I have a role like this in IT at a hospital. I can see every time a record is created, altered or viewed and next to each transaction is a unique user code which I can look up and it will tell me their full name, department and contact details. A large part of my job is identifying cock ups and making contact with them and their line manager to advise of errors, offer retraining, threaten removal of access or even referring to HR for disciplinary procedures.

I once had to deal with an error made on my own record. I passed it on to my line manager who said they were happy for me to deal with it, but I felt I should be leading by example when I tell others off for going into their own records.

OP, if you have any more proof, report her! Or as others have advised, ask them to protect your records.

YuckYuckEwwww · 08/10/2016 23:01

I'm not sure folk will want their abortions and stomach-pumping/drugs issues brought up after 10 years!

Shouldn't it be up to them to decide whether to persue it or not, not you?

Original poster
Evilstepmum01 · 08/10/2016 23:03

thats really helpful, thanks! Its a modern HC, so I'm sure they have a similar security system.

No actual proof, but am definitely going to ask them to protect/secure my records. And get it in black and white. Its going to be so uncomfortable going to the docs now.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

OP posts:
Cheby · 08/10/2016 23:10

My trust have just sacked a number of people and given formal warnings to others over access to health records. we had a new tracking system put in place in April, everyone had plenty of warning so I don't know why they continued to do it.

The only thing I would be worried about is if it was a GP practice or a small health centre who may not have the appropriate software or who may still have paper records. I would write to the practice manager confidentially outlining your concerns and ask them how do they safeguard data in general.

EveOnline2016 · 08/10/2016 23:20

As a HCSW I have access to records and uses my own code to access information on patients, this is tracked and if a patient asked about DP we can trace who has looked at records and why.

Headofthehive55 · 08/10/2016 23:27

If they have electronic records as most do you can find out who has accessed the record. A family member should never have access to it and she could be dismissed and struck off.

wizzywig · 08/10/2016 23:47

I too work in the nhs. Yes every time you open a record its tracked. Even if you just view and dont make changes. However, its only if someone is monitoring the access to notes or a patient asks someone senior in a surgery who is accessing their records that something wiuld be spotted. I say this as many many of the staff i work with look at patients notes just to have a nosey around in it and then talk about them in the office. I dont as im not going to lose a job over doing something thats so stupid.

BalthazarImpresario · 09/10/2016 10:05

My friend has any relatives records kicked St the surgery she works at, they do this to an staff, so even her sons is off limits. Definitely speak to practice manager.

BalthazarImpresario · 09/10/2016 10:08

Locked not kicked

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