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Confidentiality issue at the diabetes adolescent clinic

Posted By Poppet08

"Confidentiality issue at the diabetes adolescent clinic"

About: Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France / Outpatients Department

(as a parent/guardian),

This is not a complaint as such, more a serious concern that I feel definitely needs addressing. Since my daughters diagnosis with type 1 diabetes almost 6 years ago, I cannot fault the care she has been given. However, she is now transitioning to adult services.

This situation had happened at previous appointments when I've been with my daughter and I'd hoped it was a temporary measure, so I didn't say anything then. However, it would appear that the practice of using the same clinical space to weigh, measure and take bloods from two young type 1 diabetics at the same time is now commonplace, separated only by a thin curtain.

This immediately breaches the Charter of Patients Rights and Responsibilities as it becomes virtually impossible to keep personal health information secure and confidential. I find it very hard to believe that there is not a more efficient way of running this clinic which would honour the safety and respect aspects of the charter. 

Conducting sensitive clinical tasks in this manner, in my opinion, is entirely disrespectful to the young people who are already managing a very difficult and if not managed properly, life threatening chronic illness. Sensitive and delicate information could easily be overheard and this is completely appalling. Furthermore, a situation could quickly turn leading to injury of one or both of the young people. One could confidently argue that several aspects of The Charter are being compromised and this way of working should not be allowed to continue.

It was obvious the staff also found this situation unacceptable as they are clearly unable to engage fully with their patient, knowing there is someone on the other side of the curtain. It is not fair on your staff and it is certainly not fair on the young people they are trying their best to care for.

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Responses

Response from Ana Mezzomo, Patient Experience Officer, Patient Experience Team, NHS Lothian 2 months ago
Ana Mezzomo
Patient Experience Officer, Patient Experience Team,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 14/02/2024 at 15:53
Published on Care Opinion at 15:53

Dear Poppet08,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us, and for highlighting your concerns about the confidentiality issues patients are experiencing whilst attending their appointment at the Diabetes Clinic at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

I can appreciate your concerns regarding the issues you described, and I would like to assure you that your feedback has been shared with the Management Team who will review it appropriately.

Best wishes,

Ana Mezzomo

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Response from Ann Meldrum, Personal Assistant, Outpatients, Lauriston Building - NHS Lothian 2 months ago
We are preparing to make a change
Ann Meldrum
Personal Assistant, Outpatients,
Lauriston Building - NHS Lothian

Submitted on 14/02/2024 at 16:20
Published on Care Opinion on 15/02/2024 at 07:03

Having spoken with the nursing team in the clinic, I have been advised that the phlebotomy room is set up with 2 stations to assist in speeding up the flow of the diabetes clinic.

Patients have weight and blood pressure checked and bloods taken, the only identifiable data that should be asked for is the date of birth to ensure we are bleeding the correct patient. This is the first time such concerns have been raised around confidentiality and we are thankful for your feedback.

The senior charge nurse has made a conscious decision to reduce the room to one Phlebotomy station for a duration of 4 weeks and then further review, as in reducing the phlebotomy clinic, it may incur longer waits for the patients in clinic.

Our nursing team will continue to work hard to keep waiting times to a minimum and will review and consider all factors before making a permanent decision around the phlebotomy process going forward.

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Response from Ann Meldrum, Personal Assistant, Outpatients, Lauriston Building - NHS Lothian last month
Ann Meldrum
Personal Assistant, Outpatients,
Lauriston Building - NHS Lothian

Submitted on 18/03/2024 at 16:46
Published on Care Opinion at 16:49

Following my previous response, I can confirm that having today discussed the concern with the Senior Charge Nurse, he confirms the unit "implemented the change to a single work station and utilised the staff in a different way, this has had no detrimental effect on the clinic so will continue with this." This is a direct response to your concern, with my further review 4 weeks after the original post. This will remain under constant review and staff and clinic space will be adapted accordingly to ensure that patient waiting times are kept to a minimum. For now, the single workstation is in effect.

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Update posted by Poppet08 (a parent/guardian)

I know I'll not be the only parent/care giver who appreciates this positive change for their young person attending the adolescent clinic. Thankyou for implementing this, kind regards a grateful parent.

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