Confidentiality

All media enquiries should be referred to the press office on 020 3313 3005 to ensure a quick and appropriate response.

The press office will not release information to the media about any staff member or patient without consent, usually written, of the individual concerned.

Exceptions
The only exception is where a patient or former patient, or those acting on his or her behalf, has invited the media to report on his or her treatment. Where the resulting media coverage contains inaccuracies or unfair criticism, the Trust may comment in public, using factual information to correct misleading reporting.

Inability to give consent
If an adult patient is incapable of giving informed consent, determined by the clinical team, it may nevertheless be in his or her best interest for basic information to be released. In such cases, the decision to pass on information will take account of the view of any next of kin, or failing that, carers or relatives with whom they are in contact. In the case of a child, a parent or guardian must give consent.