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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel very suspicious of her?

224 replies

Suspicious122 · 28/06/2021 21:42

My friend is a dietician for the NHS.
I have been undergoing some treatment at a different hospital than hers. My issue is she seems to know details which she really shouldn't know especially as my issue is nothing to do with her area of knowledge. I am starting to think she has looked at my file. Aibu to ask if this is possible?

OP posts:
BillyIsMyBunny · 28/06/2021 23:05

YANBU to wonder and it is possible, BUT this is a huge offence and traceable which your friend would be aware of. I think it’s unlikely she would jeopardise her career just to look at your records, it’s more likely she’s found the information elsewhere, but if you are concerned it’s reasonable to ask for an audit.

HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 · 28/06/2021 23:07

Is this a reverse?

Shadedog · 28/06/2021 23:10

We use each other’s logins all the time. Only 2 computers and up to 8 of us needing to access them, phone ringing all the time, people coming through the door and asking us stuff. It can take a good 15 mins to log off, log back on and open up the systems you need.
However the chances of some randomer who works in her dept looking up your records is ridiculously small. If it’s happened on one of her colleagues logins then it’s her. It’s a mad thing to do though as she knows she would be sacked and possibly lose her registration and not be able to work again. If she knows actual details rather than just knowing what happens to someone with you condition and the pathway you are on, and her trust has access to your trusts records then maybe she has. Bonkers thing to do.

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 28/06/2021 23:11

"As someone has asked, is the hospital in the same trust, or a different one? If it's a different trust then the answer is no, if it's the same one, you can for a check on what she has accessed."

This. Are the hospitals part of the same trust OP?

It may be that she is just assuming what your treatment will be based on one of the symptoms that you have mentioned to her (if you have mentioned anything to her?). Although if you're going to report her rather than ask her then I'm guessing you're not particularly good friends?

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 28/06/2021 23:14

@TheChosenTwo

Would someone really risk their job to be nosey? I have no idea how explicit it’s made to staff regarding severity of this, but if it’s incredibly clear she’d have to be very stupid to look. Are you sure she’s not just making assumptions based on what she’s picked up along the way somewhere? I’m not saying she hasn’t, it’s just that I’m struggling to see a motive when it could cost her a job!
I work for a government department that has access to members of the public's records. Its drilled into everyone from their first day to never access friends/family/celeb records but you'd be amazed at the number of disciplinaries and sackings for staff doing just that!
Themeparklover · 28/06/2021 23:15

there are ways of doing it and getting away with it but only if you have access or a reason like she got a friend to look it up whos the adming of the department youre at etc

thefirstmrsrochester · 28/06/2021 23:17

It may be that she is just assuming what your treatment will be based on one of the symptoms that you have mentioned to her (if you have mentioned anything to her?).

Is the above scenario more likely than a HCP chucking their career down the pan for the sake of a nosey.

airtar · 28/06/2021 23:17

What makes you think she has looked?
Also, if she has, and you reported it, she would be in serious trouble. It's a huge breach in confidentiality.

HalzTangz · 28/06/2021 23:19

What has she said that makes you think she's looked at your record?

Stichintime · 28/06/2021 23:19

I was suspicious that someone had looked at my records so I asked my GP to check, when I was there. She did straight away and could tell me immediately who the last person to look at my records was.

godmum56 · 28/06/2021 23:20

a thought....I have got the NHS app on my phone, where I can access parts of my medical record...its pretty dull and empty but there is a bit that tells me if anyone else has accessed it...

Seesawmummadaw · 28/06/2021 23:20

She can look but she shouldn’t and she will be well aware of this

justasking111 · 28/06/2021 23:20

My mother who I went NC with got her friend to check to find out my new address and unlisted phone number. It is an outrageous invasion of privacy

londonscalling · 28/06/2021 23:21

My sister in law worked in an admin role for the police. She had an incident in her life where she was tempted to look up someone on the police national computer. She didn't though as she knew it was a sackable offence. Your friend would know this too!

Pixxie7 · 28/06/2021 23:24

Could it be that she has guessed based on information you have told her. If not I would definitely report it and find out.

DammedifIdo · 28/06/2021 23:28

Could she have seen the information somewhere else? A spreadsheet with appointments on? Spreadsheet with transfers? Did it come up at an MDT meeting? Maybe she saw it in passing somehow?

whynotwhatknot · 28/06/2021 23:32

If its impossible she found out another way then yes report but really be sure first

RaindropsOnRosie · 28/06/2021 23:32

It definitely sounds odd, whether she came across the information accidentally or purposefully she shouldn't have told or hinted to you that she knows.

Do make a complaint, the worst that happens is you lose a friend but if you're this suspicious, it's worth the risk.

It's highly unlikely she wouldn't be caught if she has purposefully found the information though, so whatever reponse you get from the audit, trust it.

Starryskiesinthesky · 28/06/2021 23:34

If you put in a complaint and she has not accessed your record it will be plain to see so its not like you can get her into trouble for something she has not done. It sounds like you dont trust her though so maybe the friendship is over anyway.

Everyone in the NHS knows this is a sackable offence and so is letting someone else access your account so you would be mad to let anyone else use your account.
Sorry this has happened, if someone has looked at your record its a real violation.
Recently someone in our trust looked at 100s of peoples files they shouldnt have including some people I know. They all got letters saying their records had been looked at but they couldnt be told by who or what the person had looked at because it was now being looked at by the police.

ProcrastinationStation3 · 28/06/2021 23:38

I don't work in the NHS/healthcare, I am curious is what @TheMawisbraw saying correct that you aren't even allowed to look at your own records? If so why? Doesn't GDPR give you the right to see what info is held about you at any time, so why would viewing your own records be sackable?

Houseofvelour · 28/06/2021 23:38

What makes you so sure that she's accessed it?

80caloriesofbiscuitplease · 28/06/2021 23:40

@ProcrastinationStation3 because your medical records are checked before being given to you after a data request, to check for accuracy and to make sure there's no third party information.

covidcloser · 28/06/2021 23:41

I have been undergoing some treatment at a different hospital than hers. My issue is she seems to know details which she really shouldn't know especially as my issue is nothing to do with her area of knowledge.

I don't even have an area of knowledge in the medical field but I might know something about your treatment too. People do have a broader spectrum of knowledge than simply the area they work in.

Unless you are saying she knows details of your specific case, it's very unclear from the OP

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 28/06/2021 23:45

Dieticians will probably have a wide range of knowledge from working in different areas, reading medical notes (of patients that they are meant to!), and attending board rounds/MDTs. Plus she may have had a relevant placement as a student.

CookieMonsterMunch · 28/06/2021 23:52

If you contact the trust and make a complaint saying you think your records have been accessed by someone the IT dept will be able to check it. If she’s not done anything she won’t be in trouble. If she has she’ll be in big trouble

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