Recording Drs & Hospital Appointments

[chante]

Hi, Hope everyone's enjoying the warm weather and not in too much pain? I am trying to find out please, can a patient legally record their consultations? I was told by my GP this was possible, however when I recently attended my Rheumatology appointment, they were not pleased.

I was informed that it needed to be put to the Hospital Governors. I hope someone can give me an answer or guide me in the right direction.

Have a great weekend everyone.

[nomoreheels]

If it was me I'd ask your Rheumy if he/she wouldn't mind you recording the consultation. The thing is there could be some concern if you just went ahead & covertly recorded the meeting. That said it is allowable, you may find the following interesting, it's taken from the NICE guidance - Patient experience in adult NHS services: improving the experience of care for people using adult NHS services nice.org.uk/guidance/CG138/...

"Section 1.5 Enabling patients to actively participate in their care

Subsection Information

1.5.16 Ask the patient if they want to be accompanied at consultations by a family member, friend or advocate, and whether they would like to take notes and/or an audio recording of the consultation."

If it's queried you can quote this part of the Guidance.

[chante in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my post. You have been extremely helpful , Nomoreheels. I did let the nurse know I wished to record my consultation, she agreed and when the Matron came in it was her that seem to have the issue, and informed me she need to speak to the hospital Governors.

Thanks again.

[nomoreheels in reply to chante]

My pleasure. I think you need to ask your Rheumy directly, it's not the Matron you're being consulted by is it?! I hope he/she sees that it's helpful to record the meeting, things can be so easily forgotten especially if much is discussed treatment & med wise, particularly if changes are made to your regular ones. I always take my h with me, two heads are better than one even if one is a sheeps (old saying my m-i-l used to say!).

Good luck.

[earthwitch]

Its like recording anyone for any reason - you need to ask, and get their consent. If you give them a sensible reason ("I'd like to record this because I'm concerned I will forget everything you have said the moment I walk out the door") then they shouldn't be worried.