GP records

Sounds like it's taken seriously then

coco I worked as a counsellor/CBT therapist in private practice and also in primary care where I saw patients in the GP practice and at our office base. The scheme began long before IAPT and was adapted to fit when IAPT was introduced. Referrals came from the GP’s with patient agreement. The Trust I worked for was clear, no details of sessions were shared with a GP or put in patient notes unless a serious risk had been identified. Each patient was given an information sheet outlining the ‘terms and conditions’ at the beginning of the first session, an opportunity was given to ask questions and clarify, if the patient wasn’t happy they simply opted out. It was made clear should a discussion with a GP be deemed necessary the patient would always know in advance.

It was necessary to enter into patient notes that they had met with a primary care practitioner and a few words about focus, eg work related stress or sleep disturbance. Other notes were the practitioners, kept under lock and key and not shared - ever - with a GP.

I’m frankly horrified issues you took to counselling were described in any detail in GP records. I totally agree with goldenage, ask the counsellor before sharing anything what records are kept and who can access them. I would suggest it is totally reasonable to ask for time to think through the answer and to discuss concerns with the counsellor. I would also agree that a professional directory is a good place to begin to search for a private therapist.

Confidentiality was taken very seriously. Computerised records showed who had accessed them and when, inappropriate access was a disciplinary/dismissal issue. Yes, taken very seriously.

Wishing you well.

Practice are now switching on access to patient records over the next few months, they have to do this by law, it sounds as though yours has already switched it on. There are issues to be worked through, for example if details of third parties are recorded in your record.

As far as who can see your record, anyone with access to the clinical system could see it, but it would be a sackable offence unless it was needed as part of your care. For example if you ask if a prescription has been done, the receptionist would go into your last entry on your record to check that out.

I think there is a possibility, at least there used to be, of 'sealing' your record so that only your GP and you can view it. This was used for GP's families registered at the surgery, who obviously didn't want any staff accessing their record. But to get that done you should make an appointment with the practice manager.

Most GP surgeries are now sharing their data with ICNs (integrated care networks, which took over from PCTs) The data is collected into one big database which is used by GPs for out of hours care, but also for admin and accounting purposes by the admin staff.

If you have concerns and don't want your data shared into the wider network, then it depends on which clinical system your practice is using. I am not going to cut and paste a large amount of data, but if you are interested, this document would help?

www.bma.org.uk/media/1366/bma-principles-for-sharing-and-accessing-local-shared-electronic-patient-records-2.pdf

I think if you do not want your counselling records shared, then tell your counsellor to keep them private, and not send to your surgery. You could also ask for a copy of anything s/he proposes to send in summary as a check. The hospice counsellors I now work with always ask for permission to share data with the GP, and will respect refusals.

The vast majority of NHS staff are acutely aware of the need for information governance, they have to receive regular training, and are aware of the consequences of unauthorised access.

Having said that, the human brain is a very curious creature, and when Richard Hammond from Top Gear had his terrible car crash in Yorkshire, a survey of access to his hospital records revealed 400 members of hospital staff had had a look, including from the Obs and Gynae department! They were disciplined...

Thanks all, really useful comments 😊

I sympathise. I worked for many years as a gp receptionist and my records were blocked. You can ask for this. I also had counselling so would be uncomfortable with my colleagues reading my notes. So ask for your records to be blocked. It’s a pain btw as it limits access and therefore help that people can give you. Also, I’m sure the majority of receptionists do not have the time or inclination to snoop. We’re all patients and tend to respect people’s privacy. I don’t recall anyone snooping in the years I worked there. Not only too busy but also aware that there are tracers on the records and you can tell if someone has been in who shouldn’t be.

lilypollen

It used to be that what was said in the Dr's surgery stayed within the four walls. Alas no longer, change for the worse and not the better and shocking the practitioners who can see them. Mind you the dentist demands to know a lot on their questionnaire. Just fill my *** tooth!

It was never true, whatever used to be said.

Sharina

I sympathise. I worked for many years as a gp receptionist and my records were blocked. You can ask for this. I also had counselling so would be uncomfortable with my colleagues reading my notes. So ask for your records to be blocked. It’s a pain btw as it limits access and therefore help that people can give you. Also, I’m sure the majority of receptionists do not have the time or inclination to snoop. We’re all patients and tend to respect people’s privacy. I don’t recall anyone snooping in the years I worked there. Not only too busy but also aware that there are tracers on the records and you can tell if someone has been in who shouldn’t be.

Ahh thanks sharina really useful to know

If you work in the NHS, all reports, results etc are covered by a confidentiality clause. Disclose anything, it's a sackable offence.