Media enquiries about cases and patients
Everything you say to a journalist can be published – if you don't want to see it in print, don't say it.
Patient confidentiality
When responding to any media request for comment, it is important to remember your duty to respect patients’ rights of confidentiality, and to follow GMC guidance on dealing with media enquiries.
Doctors and patients are not on a level playing field when it comes to speaking to the press. Doctors have an enduring professional duty to protect patients' rights of confidentiality, even when patients or their families have chosen to release information to the press. This can be frustrating, particularly if the resulting coverage is incomplete or inaccurate, and casts the doctor in a poor light.
A doctor who breaks confidentiality, whether inadvertently or not, may face disciplinary action and regulatory sanction. However, there are ways in which you can respond to media enquiries without breaching patient confidentiality.
Dealing with the media by phone
The medical field has long attracted media attention as healthcare affects everyone at some point in their life. You may receive an enquiry about an existing complaint or claim that you knew about, or the patient may have contacted the press directly with a new complaint about you and this is the first you hear of it.
Example
Try to stay calm and professional, rather than getting defensive or irritated
You receive a call from someone called David who says he is a journalist working for a local paper. He is writing a story about a recently deceased patient of yours and wants to know why you prescribed her antibiotics which she was allergic to. So what should you do?
Firstly, try to stay calm and professional, rather than getting defensive or irritated. The journalist may try to pressurise you into saying something you might later regret. Saying “no comment” straight away nearly always comes across as defensive.
Avoid responding in detail immediately. It is usually wise to take time to think about what you are going to say; otherwise, you risk inadvertently making a remark that is misconstrued or could result in a complaint or referral to the GMC. Remember, the MPS press office is always here to help, so get in touch with us for immediate advice.
What should you say?
- What's your name?
- What is the name of your publication/programme?
- What, exactly, did you want me to comment on?
- What is your deadline?
- Who else have you spoken to?
- Give me your contact details (phone and email address) and I'll get back in touch.
Top tips
If you have been involved in a high profile case, a reporter may turn up at your home or place of work
- Buy time and prepare
- Always bear patient confidentiality in mind.
- Stay calm and professional.
- Write down the name and contact details of the journalist and publication.
- Find out the deadline for a response.
- Avoid saying “no comment”.
- Contact the MPS press office for advice.
The media on your doorstep
Dealing with journalists and photographers on your doorstep requires a slightly different approach. If you have been involved in a high profile case, a reporter may turn up at your home or place of work. Some journalists come alone and some will be accompanied by a photographer or TV camera operator. This can be intimidating for anyone, but particularly for a doctor being pushed to comment on a delicate situation involving confidential patient details.
Example
A measured response delivered with composure, conveys a professional and dignified message
A journalist, with a photographer, arrive unannounced at your practice, asking for your comments about the death of a patient – suggesting this was the result of your mistake.
A response of “no comment”, accompanied by an unflattering photograph with an unhelpful gesture looks defensive, hostile and culpable.
A measured response delivered with composure, conveys a professional and dignified message – for example: Dr Y: “I am sorry but I'm not able to answer your questions right now, but if you give me your contact details, either I or my trust's press office will get back to you.”
Top tips
- Behave calmly and professionally – you do not want to be seen as defensive or hostile.
- Ask the journalist for their contact details so you can get back to them.
- Get in touch with the MPS or your trust's press office to alert them that you may need help in preparing a statement.