To want to know who can access my hospital records?

[namechange4000]

Just that really. Name change but long time poster.

I have several complex medical conditions and have quite a detailed history in my medical notes. I'm under a few different specialities but have recently been referred to a new one. I've had 2 appointments and all going well.

I have a friend who works at the hospital and has done for years. For the first time, I've crossed in to the department she works in. She is admin/reception and sorts out appointments, books you in as present etc.

It's the etc but I'm worried about. What else can she see? I know she is the worlds biggest gossip and I don't want my notes being ruffled through for tidbits and gossip.

In particular I have some MH issues as a teenager, which are nothing to do with the dept she works in. The issues were 35 years ago, I don't know if they are even recorded anywhere.

I also had many failed attempts at IVF, my whole gynae history is in that file, as well as my pre-adoption health check. It's so important to me that the adoption of my DD doesn't get out. There are serious safeguarding issues.

What can someone see?! Please put my mind at ease, I've been worrying about this for days now.

Never seen any paper record of negative blood tests for things like HIV, it's usually all online, which she probably doesn't have access to if she's admin and not clinical, even if she did she'd have to be stupid to access it as there will be a record of her doing it. Maternity notes aren't transferred to general medical notes as far as I know.

Being tested for HIV isn’t weird. I’ve been tested 3 times too. It’s often part of genetic screening tests.

Ok I'm calming down a little now.

Unfortunately this hospital is where I have had ALL my treatment for multiple issues inc fertility, genetic condition and a lifelong degenerative illness. My GP is also based at the hospital, as was my initial rounds of IVF. I've always loved my hospital and really value it.

Just this school mum thing as made me proper wobble. And she HAS told me things that are incredibly sensitive for other school mums. Worried this whole thread might be outing, but think social services involvement level of sensitive, which kids get pupil premium for the school; and lower level stuff such as other kids book band colour and so on.

She's PTA Chair so I think she has access to info or other staff at school enjoy a gossip with her. And she is probably that mum who rummages through a school bag when inviting a kid to a play date. Oh god. I like her but think I will distance myself as this has totally wound me up.

OP what she has access through school and access through work are slightly different. Telling other third parties about either should get her removed from the appropriate position but leaking medical information is seen as more serious.

ok I understand why you are worried especially about paper notes. Confidentiality is taken extremely seriously. Breaching a patients confidentiality is gross misconduct , We sign a agreement on this aswell as receive training regularly. It's very difficult the only thing I could think to do is speak to her manager and explain you are friends and could she clarify if friend would have access to your records as you would prefer she didn't. I know patients sometimes ask not to see healthcare professionals because they know them personally ( go to exercise class / school parent ECT) and we just book with someone else.

And she HAS told me things that are incredibly sensitive for other school mums.

Were these things accessed from her connections at work?

Truthfully, if she works at your hospital, she has access to your records. However, if she uses her access to look on the PAS system or requests the full file, there will be a record of her viewing them, and she will be aware of the massive sanctions for such snooping. General admin staff can no longer go into records and pull files without a system request.

If your full paper file was sitting in clinic or in the specialty clerks office she could look through it with no record, but it sounds as if they only use a specialty paper file in your case.

However nosy she is, her ass would be on the line if she breaches your confidentiality, including just peeking for her own curiosity. She would be a real idiot to do it, and you would have her over a barrel if she did!

BTW being tested for HIV is no biggie. I've been tested several times in random medical contexts, including pregnancy, and they always look a bit wary when saying they need to do it - like they think you're going to be outraged or something. I think it's fairly routine now.

I know that my ex's girlfriend, who is a nurse, had access to my medical information on the NHS (not mental health though).
I don't touch the NHS now, learned my lesson.

I think it's the whole 'in theory' yes, there is stuff she could access. There's nothing stopping her have a quick flick through paper records. And I have a lot of paper records in this hospital. I'm going to clarify at my next appointment whether they have my whole file or just a file for that specialism.

All those that say 'why would she risk looking'? I agree, she wouldn't risk looking at computer records. But she would defo have a flick through my file if it was in her admin office.

The other stuff she has told me about has probably come through school access, but not official access. Being PTA chair she talks to a lot of people and she's told me quite sensitive stuff about other kids or their home circumstances. As I'm writing this, I'm realising I don't want to continue this friendship really.

silvercuckoo I hope you complained. She should be struck off.