SIR - Last week whilst sitting in my GP s waiting room, I heard their receptionist discussing the confidential information held on another patient over the telephone. I have heard this before on other occasions and, whilst believing it to be an abuse of p

SIR - Last week whilst sitting in my GP's waiting room, I heard their receptionist discussing the confidential information held on another patient over the telephone. I have heard this before on other occasions and, whilst believing it to be an abuse of patient confidentiality that these discussions can be heard by the public, I have assumed them to be between the surgery staff and the patient and therefore perhaps necessary.

However, this time I heard that the patient being discussed was a female friend of mine who was abroad on holiday and not contactable by telephone. I must therefore assume that the conversation about this woman was being held between the surgery staff and a third person, perhaps unknown to my friend.

This is a gross abuse of confidentiality and I think it to be totally unacceptable. I have reported it to my Member of Parliament.

SGL BROWN

StationRoad

Harpenden