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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be shocked at lack of confidentiality in hospital

50 replies

TooHotTooSlow · 10/08/2022 16:37

Currently in hospital on an assessment ward awaiting an MRI. The doc has just been in to see the lady opposite me (not the issue). Doctor took a phone call from another doctor somewhere in the hospital asking about referring a patient. This call was conducted via speakerphone right in front of me - I know the patients name, address, nhs number and his medical history.

i would be absolutely mortified to think that my history would be discussed in this way. Obviously I can’t now remember his address or nhs number, but I do his name and medical issues.

is this normal on wards?

OP posts:
WhackingPhoenix · 10/08/2022 16:38

It happens horribly frequently and it shouldn’t, ever. I’d speak to a nurse and tell them about it so they can escalate the issue.

Carrieonmywaywardsun · 10/08/2022 16:43

That's not right. Overhearing another patient's consultation is one thing but hearing all those details when the patient isn't even being spoken to is not good and definitely avoidable.

tickticksnooze · 10/08/2022 16:46

That's unlawful, but also far too common.

BeechFairy · 10/08/2022 16:49

Doesn't surprise me. When you are a patient the only privacy is a curtain and curtains don't prevent the rest of the ward hearing every word.
I was in hospital with covid last year. I was fully vaccinated but am immunosuppressed. Every other patient was unvaccinated. I only know that because it was the question asked by every doctor on every ward round, followed up by "why not". I guess many of them would have preferred not to disclose that to all and sundry.

KoalaPineapple · 10/08/2022 17:34

When I have had midwife appts there is always a handwritten list visible of all the other ladies that they’re seeing on that day too… shocking isn’t it. It’s completely not right.

Sunnyqueen · 10/08/2022 17:36

Yanbu but breaches of data are much more common than people think, not just in medical situations but pretty much all of them.

brownbeauty80 · 10/08/2022 17:52

This has happened in the bank too...
I could see a full list of names and addresses...
The cashier was away from her desk and there was nothing stopping me from taking a pic of the list...
I pointed it out to her as I left...
she didnt look too impressed...!!

ShirleyPhallus · 10/08/2022 18:01

I gave birth last week and was really surprised at the lack of confidentiality on the recovery ward

Women having really intimate things discussed at high volume - infected stitches, episiotomy, constipation, breastfeeding etc etc. It was like everyone thought the curtains were soundproof somehow

PersuasionPrimlyWatching · 10/08/2022 18:02

Everyone on an unrelated ward,( unrelated to pregnancy) heard that I was pregnant, and hadn’t known about it

EmmaH2022 · 10/08/2022 18:04

Sorry to say, I've seen this with my oldies for 10+ years now.

dad's no longer with us but mum just told me not to bother saying anything last time. I would be bothered though.

Madwife123 · 10/08/2022 18:09

As a member of staff this annoys me as well.

I work in EPAU and part of my role I need to ring patients and give them their test results. My ‘office’ to do this is a desk in the corner of a busy waiting room. So I’m torn between whispering so the person on the other end of the phone can’t hear me or letting the entire waiting room hear the patients results. I try and avoid using names to make it at least non identifiable but confidentiality isn’t taken seriously enough in the NHS.

EgonSpengler2020 · 10/08/2022 18:12

Totally agree, the other one that drives me mad at work, is the assumption from some HCPs and relatives that we can just discuss the issues openly with the relative/ infront of the relative without first asking the patient. I think on obviosuly sensitive issues HCPs are quite good at not doing this, but really we should be confirming it is okay for any discussion, as who gets to define 'sensitive'.

SlickShady · 10/08/2022 18:22

Sunnyqueen · 10/08/2022 17:36

Yanbu but breaches of data are much more common than people think, not just in medical situations but pretty much all of them.

Exactly this. Our privacy isn't as sacrosanct as some of us would like it to be.

Schooldil3ma · 10/08/2022 18:23

I went to my GP practice yesterday to book an appointment. I had to explain to the receptionist in a packed room my name, dob, address and what I wanted an appointment for. It's shocking really.

Thefriendlymoth · 10/08/2022 18:27

Doesn’t surprise me. When I was in hospital last I heard the doctors telling the woman opposite her cancer was terminal and LOTS of other very personal information (something that was very much a surprise to her by the sounds of it. ) I appreciate they are limited in how they can deliver information due to staffing and resources but I was shocked. When they left the room I felt so sorry for her that everyone else was privy to her personal information.

AlmostSummer21 · 10/08/2022 18:32

Personally if it gets people treated better & faster, I really don't care.

i was in a year ago, privacy was NOT the hill I'd have chosen to die on, as there were many more worrying things (incorrect medication, piss poor treatment for an existing condition, piss poor help with hygiene issues (I'd had a car accident & was completely unable to do anything for myself).

I was much less 'healthy' coming out than when I went in, but the surgeon fix me fabulously, so I'm not complaining.

but Fred on ward 6 knowing my details...couldn't give a crap to be honest if it allows the Dr to multi task.

Pussycat22 · 10/08/2022 18:40

For god's sake!

Spaghag · 10/08/2022 18:40

Schooldil3ma · 10/08/2022 18:23

I went to my GP practice yesterday to book an appointment. I had to explain to the receptionist in a packed room my name, dob, address and what I wanted an appointment for. It's shocking really.

How do you expect her to book an appointment without at least your name & one other identifier? Do they normally ask for brief details of the problem when you book? Mine certainly do. It's to do with making sure you have the right sort of/length of appointment.

My point being all of those questions should have been expected & it's a very different scenario to the one given in the OP.

chipshopElvis · 10/08/2022 18:42

Report that please. Absolutely unacceptable.

Spaghag · 10/08/2022 18:44

The lack of privacy on wards in hospital is shocking. Curtains are drawn, but they hardly offer soundproofing do they.

Everything from "here's your enema Jean" to "I'm sorry, there's nothing more we can do but keep you comfortable for as long as possible".

I used to work on wards. Everyone knows everyone's business.

AllyCatTown · 10/08/2022 18:46

While that might not be good practice and reportable the general way hospitals operate isn’t good for confidentiality. Like another poster said there’s almost a pretence that the curtains are sound proof. I’ve heard so many intimate details.

ImperfectAlf · 10/08/2022 18:48

'The lack of privacy on wards in hospital is shocking. Curtains are drawn, but they hardly offer soundproofing do they.'

At least there are curtains in some places. The last hospital I was in had see through curtains in A*E. No privacy at all let alone just audio privacy.

The bar is so low these days. Disgraceful.

choppedtomatoes · 10/08/2022 18:52

A friend (thankfully) of mine found out I was pregnant at her midwife appointment as the midwife asked her what appointment she wanted and turned the screen to her to see the times. Where my name was booked in, visible to see. 🙄

Crankley · 10/08/2022 18:52

I ended up in hospital after a very bad fall last year. After the operation, I woke in the ward to find a nurse sitting by my bed rifling through my handbag and purse. I asked what she was doing. She told me they needed a record of money, valuables etc. I wasn't happy she started making the list while I was still 'out' and even less happy when she said in a loud voice 'why on earth did you bring £150 into hospital with you?' I explained I hadn't planned on being in hospital, my neighbour found me on the kitchen floor in agony and called an ambulance. I had just had a metal plate put in my thigh bone from hip to knee and wasn't in the best of moods. She then said 'but why did you have £150 in your purse?' I'm afraid my response was less polite than it might have been.

ItsSnowJokes · 10/08/2022 18:53

I think its disgusting how we have all normalised this in the NHS. All of these examples are totally unacceptable, yes they have happened for years but why do we put up with it? Why should everyone on a ward know all of our personal medical knowledge and we just shrug and put up with it?

It is something that has needed addressing for years.