Confidentiality

Devon Sexual Health (DSH) sexual health services and contraception services offered through its clinics are confidential – even for those under 16 years old.

No-one can access DSH patient records apart from staff working in DSH clinics. DSH operates a separate patient record system from GPs, and patient’s records are not shared without the patient’s permission.

All  tests are sent away under a clinic number and patient’s date of birth, so no-one outside of DSH services will know about tests performed or test results – this includes GPs, hospital clinics, school nurses, etc. Test results are not sent to a patient’s home. Most results are given by phone call or text message.

DSH does not routinely share information about clinic attendances with anyone else unless requested. It can be helpful sometimes for DSH to work with GPs and other services and let them know about care given or treatments supplied – but DSH won’t do this without checking with service users first.

If DSH has concerns about a person’s safety, they may need to share this information with another professional. However, they would try to let the person know that they were going to do this, as long as it is safe for to do so.

DSH takes confidentiality very seriously and all staff are trained in managing sensitive situations.

Under 16s – DSH will only inform parents or carers if they think the individual is being exploited or abused, and they will talk through with the individual first.