Beech Avenue Practice
Social Media & Internet Policy for Patients
There are many social media platforms that are widely used by both staff and patients at Beech Avenue Practice
Beech Avenue Practice has a page which provides a range of useful information for our patient population. Beech Avenue Practice has a duty to maintain patient confidentiality and to safeguard vulnerable patients. You can help us achieve this by adhering to the code of conduct outlined in this policy. Patients at Beech Avenue Practice are expected to adhere to the following code of conduct at all times:
1. Patients are not permitted to take photographs or any media recordings in the waiting room or areas where other patients are present, nor are photographs or media recordings of any staff permitted without their explicit consent.
2. The practice requires all users of portable devices to use them in a courteous and considerate manner, respecting their fellow patients. Portable devices are not to be used during consultations unless agreed by clinicians.
3. Patients are not permitted to disclose any patient-identifiable information about other patients, unless they have the express consent of that patient.
4. Patients should not use any social media platform to communicate medical information with the practice as this is not secure. Any such communications will be deleted and, if possible, a message sent to use routine communication methods with the practice.
5. Patients must not post any material that is inaccurate, fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, obscene, defamatory or unlawful. Any such posts on the practice social media outlets like a page, Twitter account, etc will be deleted by the practice and the post reported.
6. Patients must not post comments on social media that identify staff who work at the practice.
7. Defamatory comments about our team are not to be shared on any social media or review platform. Legal advice will be sought and the appropriate action taken against any patient who posts defamatory comments. Patients will also be asked to register elsewhere if there is deemed to be a breakdown of the Patient and GP relationship. Patient complaints on social media
We have a separate complaints policy which patients are to use should they wish to make a
complaint. We will only respond to complaints made to the practice in accordance with the practice policy. If a complaint is made on any social media platform that the practice uses, it may be deleted at the discretion of the practice.
