Speak no evil, see no evil, hear no evil
Confidentiality
Probably some patients expect confidentiality to mean that no-one except the doctor, nurse or other health care professional they speak to gets to hear what they say.
In reality its very hard to operate things that way. We are obliged to make records of consultations for practical and legal reasons - in other words we need to record what happened so that we can remind ourselves later, and we may have to give evidence of what was said or happened in a court of law.
However we are bound by the Data Protection Act to ensure that computer and written records are kept securely.
Access to written or computer records is restricted to those at our own surgery and at other doctors' surgeries who you later register with. However Out of Hours doctors and nurses (e.g. at NeneDoc - formerly Normed) have to get your permission before accessing your computer records. Solicitors or Insurance companies who need information have to get your written permission to do so.
When do we discuss your details with colleagues?
We do regularly share details of consultations with our colleagues at Maple:
- because we have different skills and experience to help your problems
- discussions between professionals is known to achieve better solutions to problems
- because we mostly work part-time and have to pass on your care
- because we need to support each other
When do we share information with professionals and others outside Maple?
- we routinely give information to other doctors and nurses who are looking after you (e.g. in hospital or prison)
- we do not give information to other professionals or agencies (e.g. social workers) without your written permission
- even if we have your permission, we would only give information which it was essential for the other agency to know
- we will not give any information we have about you to the police
Exceptions to confidentiality
- we would only give information to anyone without your consent if it was urgently needed and you could not be contacted and there was a very serious or life-threatening situation including a risk to a child's safety.