Care plan sent to What'sApp group

[NameChanger43]

Please tell me if this is outrageous or I'm way over thinking this. I don't want to be outting too much! I work in Healthcare caring for about 40ish people in a residential setting. A new person is coming to stay and their entire care plan was sent over a what'sapp group of about 50 people not all of who would be involved in their care. Notes included:

Full name
DOB
Address
Full and detailed medical history and medication
Incontinence care
Family and relationships
Behaviour
Money management and how they are being funded
Personal care
End of life/last wishes
Mental capacity... and much more

I know the importance of everyone knowing these details butsurely whatsapp is not secure. If my phone was stolen or lost anyone could read that (i do have a password).

How would you feel if this was your mum/dad/relative?

This is completely inappropriate and should be reported immediately.

That's outrageous..and also, not easily/quickly retrievable if you're caring for them.. surely it should be in case files or something? What's the actual policy on it?

I work fairly high up in patient care for the NHS and this is really inappropriate and potentially a massive confidentiality breach.

Massive breach. Report.

This sounds to me if it could be a GDPR issue.

GDPR so I'm pretty sure it's illegal

That is outrageous. Please report this. Not only is it a GDPR breach, this is a service users personal health and care information.

Thank you everyone for your replies, i immediatley felt uncomfortable when i saw it on my phone saved from whatsapp. The official policy is that its stored electronically (secure) and a paper copy in a secure office which any of us could ask to access if we needed to find out information. Im very low down the food chain so to say but have enough training and good solid qualifications to know it isn't right. I've debated reporting it but i feel like whistleblowers never win.

It absolutely should be reported, you must be able to do this confidentially? Would it be to the CQC?

It's not so much the mode of communication that is the issue (though there may be contractual stipulations about how things can be communicated) its the fact that the information went to people that didn't need to know. I would apply the same analysis to if the same information was in hard copy memo or email. It potentially breaches both the common law duty of confidentiality (as there is no direct care nexus with some of the recipients) as well as Data Protection Act/GDPR.

There is no way that is acceptable! I work in a GP surgery and we have a clinicians WhatsApp group - we never ever share confidential info on there!

The appropriate person to report this to would be the setting's Caldicott Guardian,

@MsVestibule

It absolutely should be reported, you must be able to do this confidentially? Would it be to the CQC?

Its in Wales so the CIW. The place in question has not been in a favourable position with them quite recently due to staffing/safeguarding concerns. I have a duty to report it I know, and I will, im just worried

Are you going to report it?

Sorry x post
Good on you

@AiryFairyArtyFarty

Are you going to report it?

I just answered that on the post above yours x

Massive breach of confidentiality Why would the info need to be shared on WhatsApp anyway! You need to report this, it goes against all the principles of protecting data.

@GinGenie

Massive breach. Report.

This 100%

On the upside if it was sent to 50 people there is no reason for anyone to know it was you that reported it.

Sorry just seen you are going to report. Please don't worry about reporting, you can do it anonymously.

I feel for you, OP, it's horrible being the one who raises concerns but you are doing the right thing. Just because people have got higher up the food chain than you doesn't mean their judgement or values are more sound than yours unfortunately. Your only loyalty in this case is with the people you support. Good luck.

@Fairybatman

On the upside if it was sent to 50 people there is no reason for anyone to know it was you that reported it.

Good point! Im just really not the type of person who has a big voice and speaks up with confidence if that makes sense? I mean I should and will report it just the thought of it is giving me anxiety already

Report! ...also why the heck a whatsapp group. Horrendous.

My son is disabled. Everything sent to me from anywhere is usually password protected. Mugs name is never used just his initials.

Who sent it?