To think my boss should have consulted us before doing this??

[LanaLily11]

I work as a secretary in a GP practice. Let’s call our practice manager ‘Wendy’

We had our Christmas Do last night however there are so many of us that I didn’t get a chance to speak to everyone! Wendy is now on annual leave now until Christmas Eve.

My colleague text me earlier asking if I was aware that Wendy has been approached by a tv production company, and been asked if our practice would star in a ‘behind the scenes’ type programme.

My colleague tells me that Wendy has been in talks for weeks with the crew, and has agreed. They will start filming around September next year. Part of the idea is that the camera crew will have access to all the different areas, including consultations etc (obviously this will need to be agreed by each patient)

My colleague was told by Wendy herself last night, after a few too many. AIBU in thinking Wendy should absolutely have spoken to every single member of staff before agreeing?

I would opt out of this. I work in the NHS and another hospital within the trust did this, I cringed all the way through it.

The though if being on camera is horrifying to me, the stress literally would make me ill so I absolutely would never do it.

You won't have to do it, you can't be forced to do so.

It's all hearsay, it may not even be true, In any case I agree with one post that said she could be sworn to secrecy, it may not be set in concrete yet. I'm sure you will all get the chance to opt-out before September 2020.
YABU, Wendy has more important things to think about, and will tell you if/when the time comes.

yanbu to not want to be in this but yabu to therefore say Wendy should have checked with you. you may have resigned by then anyway, and if she got agreement now a new starter in January could vehemently object, or anyone expressing a view now may have changed their mind either way within the next few months. absolutely no point in consulting.

when the time comes you can opt out. if you suspect you are on camera at any point make rude hand gestures at the camera so they can't use that footage.

Ooh is it GPs Behind Closed Doors? I love that!

YANBO. It's not just not wanting to be on TV, it's the disruption the filming will cause. As far as patients go, it's appalling. Whether or not they have the right to refuse, there can be subtle pressures applied to make them agree when they really don't want to.

Years ago, when I worked at Moorfields, there was a film crew in to do a piece on NHS funding and it was awful. Appointments had to be cancelled, staff had their shifts moved about, photogenic doctors and nurses were under particular pressure to be on camera. Patients hated it, many felt like it was a huge invasion of their privacy, even if they didn't agree to appear. And some of those who did agree admitted that they hadn't felt enabled to say no.

So, no, it's not unreasonable to expect a decision on this to be discussed with staff, NDA's be damned.

Being on TV isn't the problem here - a decision like this being made without reference to those most affected is.

I doubt that a practice secretary would be among those ‘most affected’.

Indeed.

I suspect Wendy would not have made the deal with the production company without the approval of the GP Partners.

I also work at a GP practice that had our Christmas party last night, so I’m really hoping it’s not the same one

This is exactly the sort of stunt our PM would try and pull...

I think you’re being a bit dramatic. You don’t have to be on camera if you don’t want.

I also think it’s unrealistic to get permission from every person who works at the practise before getting into talks.

Surely she should have contacted the partners of the practise before agreeing?

They will ask you to sign a release, I had it where I worked and I said no-they lost all interest after that! 😁

Surely she should have contacted the partners of the practise before agreeing?

Why would anyone assume she hasn’t done so? Presumably the partners are in agreement. The practice manager wouldn’t have agreed to this unilaterally.