Social Media Policy

There are many social media platforms that are widely used by both staff and patients; these include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. At Station View Health Centre, you can reach our website at  https://www.stationviewhealthcentre.co.uk/, which provides a range of useful information for our patient population.

Station View Health Centre 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 Station View Health Centre are expected to adhere to the following code of conduct at all times: -

1. 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.
2. Patients are not permitted to disclose any patient-identifiable information about other patients unless they have the express consent of that patient.
3. Patients must not post any material online about Station View Health Centre that is inaccurate, fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, obscene, defamatory, or unlawful.  Any such posts will be reported.
4. Patients are not permitted to take photographs in the waiting room, or any other areas of Station View Health Centre where other patients are present, nor are photographs of staff permitted
5. Patients must not post comments on social media that identify staff who work at the practice.
6. Patients are to use NHS Choices should they wish to leave a review about Station View Health Centre. This will enable the practice manager to respond appropriately. (Due to patient confidentiality the doctors are unable to respond on social media).
7. Defamatory comments about our team are not to be shared on any social media platform. Comments that take the form of a scurrilous personal attack on members of the practice or contain allegations that are clearly unfounded, indicate a serious breakdown in the patient-doctor relationship.  A good patient-doctor relationship, based on mutual respect and trust, is the cornerstone of providing good patient care. Such comments, therefore, may result in the removal of the patient who made those comments from the Practice list.

Legal advice will be sought, and the appropriate action taken against any patient who posts defamatory comments.

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 forwarded or posted to any of our social media platforms page, it will be deleted and will not be acted on.