Talking of hospitals...my son was in last week for a small op - day
case.   Anyway I visited that evening and there was an elderly gentleman
in a bed and his family were there to visit him and one another
gentleman in the ward.  Anyway, the Doctor came to the ward and in a
very loud voice, said "We have had the results of your scan Mr X and
yes, you definitely have gallstones!"  I was totally shocked - I know it
wasn't life-threatening but probably being involved with DP I am more
aware!!

Doreen


-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Anne Gadsden
Sent: 04 October 2006 14:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Hospital Privacy/Confidentiality

the need for patient confidentiality has been balanced with the human
need for people to keep in touch with each other, particularly at times
of crisis e.g. illness.  The tiny risk of breach of confidentiality here
is balanced by considering that you would have had to know which
hospital to approach and patient's name.  Ok, you might be a nosey
neighbour having seen someone going off in an ambulance, but once you
were through to the Ward you wouldn't have been given any information
about the patient unless they had authorised release of information to
you.

The alternative is not to give out any information at all, which would
make things very difficult for even patient's relatives - and have you
considered the nightmare of what might happen when patients are shifted
round wards/hospitals and staff have forgotten to inform the nearest and
dearest? If that did happen (and it's not uncommon), even your wife
wouldn't be able to find you again!

Anne

Anne Gadsden AHRIM
Information Governance Officer
Information Services Department
North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Cumberland Infirmary
Carlisle CA2 7HY
01228 814539 (direct line)

e-mail: [log in to unmask]



>>> Nick Landau <[log in to unmask]> 04/10/2006 01:34 >>>
A family friend has recently gone in to hospital and my father rang up
the 
hospital to find out which ward she was in because he wanted to visit
her.

He was put through to the Hospital reception and they told her which
ward 
she was in.

I am rather surprised that anyone in this way can identify whether a 
particular patient is in a specific hospital and where they are to be
found.

I have worked in the NHS but not in an Acute Trust.

Nick Landau 

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