Should I complain after a nurse shared my 16-year-old's medical details?

[Midglet]

My 16yr old had an incident this week that required medical intervention. They didn’t want people, even immediate family and close relatives, to know until they had underwent the operation and we respected those wishes. However a theatre nurse recognised their name and before my child was even under anaesthetic, the nurse had texted a distant relative of ours and divulged that not only was our child in for an operation , but the nature of such. The child was in theatre for four hours but within twenty mins of them being taken in the distant relative , who doesn’t have our mobile numbers, then started calling the hospital demanding details of our child’s prognosis and treatment. Thankfully we had been tipped off very quickly as the relative started contacting other family members ( who themselves weren’t aware of the situation until they themselves contacted us to see what was happening) and were able to request staff to refrain from divulging such. After several failed attempts the relative then turned up at the hospital and demanded access to our child, by which point they were out of surgery. The ward staff asked our 16 yr old ( with us present) if they would like the relative to gain access and our child immediately burst into tears with the thought …the relative is particularly difficult at the best of times and the children try to avoid all contact by their own choice . Thankfully again the staff were able to refuse the relative entry into the ward (Although our child is 16 and should have been in the adult wards a lack of beds had resulted in them being housed in the children’s ward with better security) . Anyway I am sitting stewing about the actions of this initial theatre nurse divulging private medical information to a third party . I know this is a huge breach of confidence and I hope such would be a disciplinary if I was to raise a complaint but I don’t know if I should . The nurse is a friend of the relative hence why she reached out and my family are divided as whether to take action as it will cause trouble within the wider family. Hubby thinks I should just forget it to keep the peace but I think the theatre nurse should be made aware her actions were totally unacceptable. I’ve never complained about anything before . Your thoughts would be appreciated !

Complain, report them. That is a massive violation!!!

Who said the nurse is a relative? She’s only a friend of the relative as far as I can see?

I was in a hospital ED recently and I was given 4mg of Warfarin (which is what I was prescribed for that day) but 4 hours later I was given 6mg of Warfarin which, thankfully, as I had my wits about me, I didn’t take, so I would well believe that this incident in true!

"They, their, them"? You said it was only one child!

Yes, report the nurse, that is an appalling breach of confidentiality, quite outrageous. Everyone is entitled to privacy and your daughter or son is no exception.

I hope she is severely reprimanded so she will not dare repeat that mistake.

Op also says “our child”. She is just avoiding saying whether her child is a girl or a boy because it’s irrelevant.

I hope your DC is ok OP.
I agree with everyone else, this is awful. I would report.

I’m in the US and that is a fireable offence, and possibly also a criminal offence.

I’d report her without a second thought.

I’m lost for words. This was an appalling breach of standards which has had a terrible impact on you and your ill child. Complain to the hospital in writing.

That is absolutely terrible. I’d complain. The nurse made an already stressful time for you a million times worse, and broke the rules. wtf was she thinking??

She or he should be sacked. At the very minimum suspended under investigation. You must report.

If you do not report, this nurse may well do this again. And that situation may cause other problems. What if there was a DV situation? What if there was a serious safeguarding issue? So many possible things and all NHS professionals know damm well that you shouldn't do this. We have annual training to tell us !

So does the nurse know your child and the distant relative? Do you know the nurse?

How would the individual think they could have access if they are a distant relative? Is it their biological parent/ grandparent but are mostly non-contact?

Not sure I follow your logic there but ok. I'm still sceptical.

Rage bait if ever I’ve seen it ….

She should be sacked. She deserves to be sacked. No, OP should not have to consider her livelihood or income or have a word with her. The nurse is well aware that she is not to share personal information and that it’s a serious breach. The nurse chose to contact people and share private information. It was not a slip or accidental breach which would still require reporting and would be more understandable.The nurse is a cunt for doing what she did.

I've been a nurse for over 20 years. You need to take this further. It's a breach of confidentiality

As a nurse myself I say yes, please do report it.

I get why it’s a hard decision because the nurse will lose their job. That’s not your responsibility but it still makes it a tough call. Plus could cause issue with distant relative. Are other staff aware of what happened?

One child but, presumably, OP wanted to conceal their sex for privacy reasons although some replies have sad DD and some DS but we don't need to know. Perfectly normal. I dont know why people get so het up about this.

Definitely report, although I do think there must be slightly more to this story as why on earth would a 'distant relative' turn up at the hospital making demands? Im not saying that this excuses anything but I do feel the whole story isnt being revealed 🤔

Sadly, a sign of the times, not sure if there ever was a golden age of discretion but people seem very careless these days.
The idea that someone who can't keep a secret confides in another, expecting it not to go further is bonkers.

Absolutely complain. No hesitation.

Gross misconduct for the leaking of private details and an additional charge of bringing the Trust into disrepute. A sackable offence (at least in the Trusts I’ve worked in). @Midglet take this through the official complaints channels and hopefully the nurse will be fired.

100% complain. If everyone else, even people who aren't nurses, knows the rules then she did too. She chose not to follow them, willingly and knowingly. Natural consequences.

Nurse here. It does not matter who nurse does or does not know this is an utter breach of many issues, including her code of conduct .

Do not bother with PALs write to the director of nursing at the trust. Make sure you include GDPR and the code in the complaint. Also imclude your daughters and wider families distress and inconvenience.

I would also ask the director of nursing if she will be referring to the NMC or should you (you can but just asking will ensure theyrealise your seriousness)