You may have seen recent headlines about NHS England issuing guidance on the importance of protecting confidential patient information, with the publication of a letter from Sir Jim Mackey on the unauthorised access of patient records.
The message is simple: just because you can access a record doesn’t mean you should. Patient records must only be accessed for a legitimate work-related reason. Viewing records out of curiosity, including those of friends, family, colleagues, public figures or even your own, is unlawful and can lead to disciplinary, professional and legal action.
Please make sure your mandatory Information Governance and Data Security training is up to date. If you’re ever unsure whether you should access a record, seek advice – there is no grey area, and one click can have serious consequences. Let’s do the right thing for our patients at MRI and protect the trust they place in us.
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