Confidentiality, consent and sharing to prevent serious harm

Confidentiality matters, but you must share information when it may prevent serious harm or suicide. Reception staff should escalate concerns rather than managing risk alone.

Receiving information is not the same as disclosing information

Relatives, friends, carers or other services may call with urgent worries. You should listen to and record their concerns even if you cannot give information about the patient. Confidentiality should not stop the practice from receiving safety information that could help keep someone safe.

For example, a parent may report suicidal messages from an adult child, or a friend may say the patient has sent a goodbye text. Callers might ask whether the patient has an appointment, what medication they take, or whether they contacted the practice. Do not disclose those details casually, but pass any safety information on urgently.

Remember

• You can receive information from relatives, friends, carers or other agencies.
• You may not be able to disclose information back without the correct legal basis or authority.
• Serious and immediate risk needs urgent sharing through the agreed routes.
• The decision should be escalated to a clinician, safeguarding lead or senior person according to local process.
• Record why information was shared and with whom.

When urgency is high

If information suggests immediate danger, overdose, active suicide risk or inability to stay safe, do not let uncertainty about confidentiality delay escalation. Pass the concern to the duty clinician or emergency services and seek senior advice as needed.

Reception staff should not be expected to resolve complex sharing decisions alone. The practice must have an agreed route for urgent serious-harm information sharing.

Consensus statement

Confidentiality should not become a barrier to urgent action where serious harm may be prevented.