NMC reminds registrants of responsibility to respect and protect patient confidentiality

This follows a number of incidents in which patient records have been accessed inappropriately across the UK.

Every day, nurses, midwives and nursing associates access patient records appropriately to provide safe and effective care. However, accessing records without a legitimate reason is wholly unacceptable and risks undermining the trust that patients place in health and care professionals.

The NMC's Code sets out the standards of performance and conduct expected of everyone on the Register. It makes clear that nurses, midwives and nursing associates must preserve people's right to privacy and confidentiality, ensure records are kept securely, and share information only when appropriate.

The Code is also clear that professionals must adhere to the law – such as the Data Protection Act and the UK GDPR.

While most nursing and midwifery professionals handle confidential patient information correctly, the NMC is reminding registrants that inappropriate or unjustified access to records can cause significant distress to patients and families, damage public confidence, and amount to a breach of professional standards resulting in fitness to practise action.

Healthcare organisations also have an important role in fostering a culture where patient confidentiality is respected, including reminding staff of their responsibilities following high-profile incidents, providing appropriate training, maintaining safeguards to help prevent unauthorised access to records, and taking appropriate disciplinary action where these are not followed.

Chris Dzikiti, Executive Director of Professional Practice at the NMC, said:

"Respect for patient confidentiality is a cornerstone of professional practice for nursing and midwifery professionals. People should have confidence that information about them will be handled with the necessary care and sensitivity. Accessing patient records without a legitimate professional reason is unacceptable and can erode that trust.

"Our Code is clear that nurses, midwives and nursing associates must preserve people's right to privacy and confidentiality, and uphold the dignity of those in their care. They must also take all reasonable steps to ensure that records are kept securely and information is shared appropriately.

"We take concerns about the inappropriate access of patient records seriously. Where there is evidence that a nurse, midwife, or nursing associate has accessed records without a legitimate professional reason, we will take those concerns seriously and carefully consider whether fitness to practise proceedings or other regulatory action is needed to protect the public and maintain confidence in the professions. When doing so, we will look at all the circumstances of the matter, to ensure that our decisions are reasonable, proportionate and informed by an appreciation of the context, including public safety.”

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