Some
people who come to our clinics may be concerned about who else will know about
their visit and how confidential we will keep their records. The
following information should set your mind at ease about confidentiality at our
clinics.
We
have a VERY strict policy within our department concerning
confidentiality. Some common questions
we're asked are:
Will you tell my parents or my
GP (doctor)?
No. We
won't tell your parents or your doctor. If you are under 18 and we are
concerned about your safety, we will talk to you and discuss your options
before talking to anyone else about you.
Will anyone see my records?
No. The notes of anyone who comes to our hospital site clinic are kept on
a secure computer in our clinic and are not available to any other hospital
staff. We have a separate computer system from the rest of the hospital,
so no-one else can view our files.
I know someone that works in the hospital. Will people be able to tell
who I am from my test samples?
All
laboratory samples at the hospital site are processed based on your date of
birth and an individual number – no names are used.
Will you mention my name?
The
only time we will use your name is to call you in from the waiting room and
when we can, we try to use your first name only. We will not give any
information to anyone about you or even say that you have visited the clinic
when asked. This includes the police, your relatives, your partner,
social workers or any other patients.
We have a strict confidentiality policy that all of our staff sign and adhere
to with sole purpose of ensuring all your information remains confidential.