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PALS: breach of confidentiality

4 replies

Eira1649 · 16/08/2022 09:34

Long story short: I sent the PALS service of a Mental Health Trust emails explaining sensitive context and asked them to send DS' MH team one specific request on my behalf. This after PALS hadn't followed procedure from the outset. But this was far worse. Instead of reading my emails closely and sending said email, someone simply forwarded my emails to the team leader, sending me a breezy email to say that this is what they'd done. I then phoned and explained that I hadn't asked for this at all.

Eventually, a reluctant apology though again on the phone, not in writing. I asked the PALS staff member to write to the MH team leader, asking that the emails were deleted before they were read. However, given the lapse of time (and human nature), it is very likely that the emails have been read.

I explained to the PALS person that although the emails did not contain any false information or anything particularly critical, they were sent in confidence and will have, once read, undermined a trust relationship that we're trying to build with the team for our son's sake. I wrote to said PALS person last night, reiterating the point about confidentiality, having checked the PALS terms of reference and NHS confidentiality regulations.

PALS is a confidential service and consent to share must be given by the enquirer unless there is a statutory need to breach that which there wasn't in this case.

Does anyone have experience of similar PALS behaviour? This is a Trust that attracts a great deal of criticism. I feel that this incident which will - believe me - have repercussions for our relationship with the team should be brought to someone else's attention so that training is put in place, it doesn't happen to another carer etc. Thoughts and advice, please.

OP posts:
MichelleScarn · 16/08/2022 10:43

What was in the email and why would it undermine trust?

Eira1649 · 16/08/2022 11:02

Sensitive information. Concerns about communication and other such issues with the MH team. Nothing defamatory. But if read, the emails will undermine trust. This confidential service (PALS) wasn't following its own procedures ie obtain and record permission to share. Normally, I'd be fairly laid back - mistakes happen - but this was and is serious and confidentiality is a cornerstone of the service.

OP posts:
ZingotheDingo · 17/08/2022 17:58

It's not a breach of confidentiality as it's within the same trust, I've never not known PALS to forwards on the complaints to the staff to answer their part, and then for PALS to "fluff it up" with a nice introduction, apology and signing off.

DferDave · 30/08/2022 15:18

I too suspect that an ex and her mum have been accessing my records, i know they have accessed my mums in the past as i have been told by my ex that she knew of things happening in her life which she hadn't told me yet, and there was only one way she'd have known. And now i have had to book in for something and this person answered the phone. I have since moved partly as a result of this person, who now has access to my address which i am not happy with.

i want to know who accessed my records and when, and whether or not it was required for said person to have accessed them. Is this something PALS will help with?

i'm not happy that i have had to even think about this but it puts my safety into question.

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