GUM clinic information confidentiality not respected ?

[holeymoley]

Just received a text from local GP surgery advising that if I am 65 or older I may be eligible for a flu injection, and this was sent to my punting phone !!!!   

The only NHS department that has this number is my local GUM clinic, I give them my address and phone number and then tick the box asking for confidentiality specifically NOT to share info with my GP.

So I am assuming if they shared the number they will have shared the rest ?

[Flybytrask]

Yes, they share all information across the NHS spine.

There really isn’t an option to opt out, if you gave your NHS number, they can and will pull any information they think they need at any time.

If it concerns you, and you don’t want it linked, maybe check with your GP next time you have a checkup and tell them that’s not your contact information and you don’t know anything about it.

The data sharing in the NHS is a joke. They pulled my records after a visit and started to update them, but it was a completely different persons record in a different city who shared my name.

[Abs]

From context, I’m assuming you used your real personal details at the GUM clinic, except the phone number. Is that right?

My understanding is that, if you asked for the visit to be kept confidential from your GP, then the details of the consultation you had and even the fact that you had been there would not be shared on the central database - “the spine”. But any change in contact details would be shared as this is their way of trying to ensure that the most up-to-date contact information is available to whoever within the NHS might need it.

But I can’t say I’m an expert so might be wrong

[holeymoley]

From context, I’m assuming you used your real personal details at the GUM clinic, except the phone number. Is that right?

My understanding is that, if you asked for the visit to be kept confidential from your GP, then the details of the consultation you had and even the fact that you had been there would not be shared on the central database - “the spine”. But any change in contact details would be shared as this is their way of trying to ensure that the most up-to-date contact information is available to whoever within the NHS might need it.

But I can’t say I’m an expert so might be wrong

Yes I used real personal details - based on what you say it might be worth a visit to my gp surgery and check the phone number they have.  Thanks

[yandex]

Sexual Health clinics are paranoid about confidentiality to the point of obsession. They have their own separate records and don't share with GPs unless you want them to.

I'm guessing the phone number has been shared as part of a link up but your results, or even reason to visit won't have been

[Jokorley]

Just received a text from local GP surgery advising that if I am 65 or older I may be eligible for a flu injection, and this was sent to my punting phone !!!!   

The only NHS department that has this number is my local GUM clinic, I give them my address and phone number and then tick the box asking for confidentiality specifically NOT to share info with my GP.

So I am assuming if they shared the number they will have shared the rest ?

If you know your NHS number you can download the Patient Access app which will allow you to change your details the NHS has for you.

[KeriY]

From context, I’m assuming you used your real personal details at the GUM clinic, except the phone number. Is that right?

My understanding is that, if you asked for the visit to be kept confidential from your GP, then the details of the consultation you had and even the fact that you had been there would not be shared on the central database - “the spine”. But any change in contact details would be shared as this is their way of trying to ensure that the most up-to-date contact information is available to whoever within the NHS might need it.

But I can’t say I’m an expert so might be wrong

This is right.  It's just your contact details that will have been updated.  Ask your GP to confirm your contact details, tell them they are wrong and they'll reset them.

[scutty brown]

Most clinical records systems match and coordinate patients identities and addresses with the "summary care record" on the Spine. In fact when registering a new patient some systems won't allow you to progress unless you can actually match the patient to an SCR and confirm/update the relevant details.
But that doesn't mean the medical records are shared - for instance each GP practice has its own "walled garden" of records using Emis Web, SystmOne or INPS Vision and only the briefest details are abstracted from those to the SCR. These are all hosted cloud-based systems, but each surgery has its own secure server instance.
Specialist clinics use a different set of clinical systems to retain records - there are a couple specifically optimised for GUM clinics. Data won't be uploaded to the SCR from these unless you specifically authorise it.
I'd be very surprised if your GP has information about your treatment.

[holeymoley]

Thank you very much for your comments guys.  For those of us who punt, this site is invaluable.