GP recorded me without consent...

[Levanna]

Midway through appointment yesterday I realised GP was using video thing, set up in corner of room and not obvious. When I queried it she said all patients were meant to be 'consented' at reception. I wasn't. She said she wouldn't 'use' video and eventually turned it off.

Feel like it's a massive breach of privacy and that regardless of whether she uses it or not (or so she says), there's a vidoe of my appointment floating about.

Tempted to write to ask for confirmation in writing that it wont be viewed by anyone.

Would you bother?

FWIW, the appointment wasn't about anything 'private' as such but I wouldn't have consented anyway. Really naffed off at breach of privacy... is it even legal to record a patient without consent?

yes and I would speak to the Practice Manager about it too. What exactly were they recording for?

I probably wouldn't bother as I'm sure anyone who is likely to see it would have heard it all before but like you I would be at your permission not being sought.

My Mum went to her Dr last week and this was being done, is it a new trend? Think the Dr was newly qualified.

Rather naughty, she should have consented you herself before any filming started. it's not the receptionist's responsibility.

Well I would have hit the roof and erased the blooming thing myself. Cheek.

Eh?
That ain't on.

I think you should write in on principle, Levanna - it is really not good enough for her to say "all patients were meant to be 'consented' at reception". Either the receptionist slipped up in your case, in which case she (I assume she) needs pulling up, or they are just doing it anyway and assuming people won't notice, in which case heads need to roll.

Maybe you should mention in your letter to the practice that you will also be writing to your MP about it. This sucks.

Why are they doing it, anyway? Insurance against malpractice suits?

It'll probably be for an exam - the GP membership exam has a video component.

Something like this?....

To whom it may concern,
(practice manager)

I attended an appointment on Monday 30/01/06 as an ?extra? patient. When I arrived at 15.30, as advised by reception staff, I was assigned to see Dr. Wotsit.

When I was fitted in at approximately 17.30, midway through the appointment she approached the corner of the room to adjust video recording equipment.

At no point was I made aware that Dr Wotsit was using video equipment in surgery that day and had I been I would not have consented to it being used during my appointment.

I made this clear to Dr Wotsit and she said she wouldn?t use it and queried whether I had not been ?consented? at reception. I had not.

I feel this is a massive and unethical breach of trust. I had further concerns of a private nature which I had hoped to discuss with a GP but felt unable to following the apparent lack of respect for privacy.

I would like this to be considered a formal complaint and would like confirmation in writing that the tape of my appointment will not be viewed by anyone. Dr Wotsit did not elaborate on the reason for recording and although irrelevant, as such I have no idea who will have access to it.

I am in the process of seeking advice from the local PCT on this matter and would appreciate communication from you as soon as possible.

I did see other patients arrive and did see consent forms being handed out on arrival but didn't realise it was for the same doctor, there were a few on duty.

I have no idea what it was all about!

Levanna, I think it is completely innapropriate that you got filmed without consent and this should definately be brought to the practise managers consent.
It probably will be for the GP exams, this is the time of year just befor the drs switch and the do part of the gp exam.
(Beware everyone going into hosp, this is when drs are at their most inexperienced in a feild.)

Additionaaly though, how meny people on mn have been unhappy with their level of service from a gp. perhaps this videoing when done in an appropriatre mannor could have a two fold benefit....

practise managers attention, sorry

I'm sorry, but there is no way I would just trust that they won't use any footage. I would demand to see the footage destroyed on point of principle and I would be hopping mad. It would take a lot of smooth talking to calm me down. What a total invasion of privacy.

usually these tapes are used for trainee doctors or junior doctors within the surgry. I've been taped a couple of times ( with permission) my face was never recorded, it was only the doctor in full view

chapsmum, I've consented to students being present at appointments before, at other times I've chosen not to give my consent. It really is the issue that it should be my choice whether to be filmed or not that gets to me.

I don't think anyone has an issue with being asked whether or not they will allow students or camera, so long as consent is sought first

M2p and others I know what you're saying. I would have made more of a point and got more info if I had more time but they'd already kept me waiting for 2 hours! GP was an hour late starting surgery, then took 20 mins between patients! Probably something to do with vid, in hindsight.

Absolutely couldn't agree more... write to the practise manager, and send a cc to the healthe executive for the trust your in.