Patients warned about filming NHS medical care for TikTok and Instagram
Patients who record their NHS medical treatment for TikTok or Instagram are putting themselves and others at risk, according to the Society of Radiographers (SoR).
The trade union said filming NHS staff and treatments risked publishing other patients' medical information and is causing NHS staff unecessary anxiety, which could compromise the delivery of treatment.
The SoR are calling for clear and widespread NHS policies that prevent patients from photographing or filming clinical procedures without permission.
Ashley d'Aquino, a therapeutic radiographer working in London, said a rising number of patients are choosing to film their own medical treatment for social media.
She told the SoR's Annual Delegates' Conference that she had been approached by other members of staff, in her capacity as union representative, over patients recording some of their cancer treatment.
She added: 'I had one patient whose relative started filming while I was trying to set up the treatment.
'It wasn't the right time – I was trying to focus on delivering the treatment.
'We had another member of staff who agreed to take photos for a patient.
'But when the patient handed over her phone, the member of staff saw that the patient had also been covertly recording her to publish on her cancer blog.
'As NHS staff, we wear name badges, so our names will be visible in any video.
'It makes people feel very uncomfortable and anxious.'
There is also a risk that patient's filming their own care could inadvertently film other patients in the background.
This could have wide-ranging consequences, from breaking that patient's confidentiality, to embarrassing the patient, or putting patients who don't want others to know their location at risk.
Another union member, a radiology department assistant, said one instance of filming left her so stressed she couldn't sleep.
While inserting a cannula into a cancer patient, the patient's 19-year-old daughter started filming her for social media without asking permission.
'In the next bay, a patient was having consent taken for a virtual colonoscopy, which is an invasive and potentially embarrassing procedure.
'That could have all been recorded on the film – including names and dates of birth.
'I spent the weekend afterwards worrying: did I do my job properly?
"I know I did, but no-one's perfect all the time, and this was recorded.
"I don't think I slept for the whole weekend.'
Ms d'Aquino added there are times when it may be useful to record a medical conversation, for instance, to listen to it back so they remember the details said.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England's co-national medical director for secondary care, said: 'We want to do everything possible to support patients' understanding of their diagnosis and treatment, but it's vital that, if patients wish to record any part of their NHS care, they discuss this with their healthcare professional first and it remains for personal use only.
'Recording other patients inadvertently and without their permission risks breaching patient confidentiality – the information and treatment provided to other patients on NHS premises should never be recorded, let alone posted to social media.'
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