Patient confidentiality - breach of ?

[JaneyT]

Briefly, an administrator at our doctors surgery saw my mother, who was with my 2 dds (I was at work), and said she had just finished writing a letter about dd2s poorly ears to a consultant.

My mum then asks me what this is all about - basically we hadn't told her about the ears as we are going on holiday in 10 days and they weren't keen on us going as dd1 occassionally has febrile convulsions, and so we decided to keep quiet about dd2 until the consultant had seen her and confirmed whether she could fly or not.

So admin lady dropped let it out - she lives opposite my parents, and I also know her pretty well - and I don't know whether I should say anything to the Dr - I don't want to get her into trouble - but don't like the idea of her discussing our families health problems with my mum !
Any ideas...or am I overreacting ?

This is a clear breach of patient confidentiality and should be reported! (I am into complaining, of course!).
Seriously, my dh is a GP, and if any of his staff were doing this he would want to know and deal with it. It's not right of her to have said this, and if she did, then she could easily be saying far worse. I know you don't want to get her into trouble, but it is important that the doc knows about this, it could prevent lots more trouble in the future, for you and other patients.
You're certainly not over-reacting! HTH

I think that confidentiality is very important and the law. The lady should not have said anything even if it was your mom. Maybe she just was innocently not thinking at the time since she is your mom. I would have a little friendly talk with her about how you feel. I personally would not say anything that might get her in a lot of trouble which this could. If it were anyone else but my mom then I would make a claim myself. Maybe an apology would be good from her. I understand how you feel though.

You're definitely not over-reacting, in my book, JaneyT. If this lady has been talking about your children goodness knows who else she has been chatting about. I think a letter to the Practice Manager might be in order. You needn't name names but could explain that some of the staff are known personally to you. Hopefully that would lead to all the staff being given a 'pep talk' and reminded about their responsibilites without anyone being picked out specifically. Good luck.

Hi JaneyT

I don't think you are overreacting at all. This lady works in a doctors surgery and knows that patient confidentiality is very important. She should not have spoken to your mother about your dd. If it was me, I'd certainly want to speak to the woman concerned, and I'd probably also speak and/or write to the practice manager. If you contact the practice manager, then the woman concerned is likely to be reprimanded. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the advise - all of you seem to agree that I should say something at the surgery - I am taking dd2 to see the consultant on thursday, and after that I will tell my mum, and then I will be able to ask her what exactly was said to her by this woman.
I have realised I cannot say anything yet as I don't know exactly what was said, and I can't ask my mum yet without telling her dd1 may not be able to go on holiday.

Obviously dd1 will not be home alone! Dh has suggested that I take dd1 and he will stay with dd2 and maybe take her somewhere for the weekend in the UK - she is 15mns - we are going with another couple so I will have company - but I just hope dd2 can fly as we were REALLY looking forward to a holiday together !

Janey2. That is a good idea to talk to your mom first and get the details because if this was just one unintentional isolated mistake and she may have never done anything like this before before it could get her fired. Now a days companies are really afraid of having law suits filed against them. Not saying you are doing that, just that it happens all the time.

Janey, I decided to complain about the community midwife at our surgery and it's possible to make an unofficial complaint and ask for things to be done anonymously.

JaneyT, I agree that you are not over reacting. Patient confidentiality is extremely important for many reasons, not the least of which you experienced by this woman talking with your mother. I would agree with Sobernow's suggestion of speaking with directly with her first and trying to ascertain whether it was in fact a careless one-off mistake or whether she really has no idea that what she did is wrong. If she seems to not feel that she did something wrong, then I would certainly make a formal complaint.
I went through something similar when I split up from my first husband and the doctor's office and insurance company (this was in the usa) kept sending all my medical bills and info. to him despite having been given my address on several occasions. I finally had to threaten to sue (works well in the usa) before they got it together and admitted that maybe they had done something wrong.