Derby Hospital filming procedures clarified

Royal Derby Hospital officials have confirmed that patients cannot record or take photos of their surgeries or treatments without asking for permission first, as professionals raise privacy and safety concerns.

Local Democracy Reporter Eddie Bisknell said that the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) has detailed its position on patients filming, taking photos or recording audio of their treatments or surgeries following national concerns from the Society of Radiographers.

A BBC article on the issue details the society raised its concerns at the trade union’s annual conference this week.

Its members detailed that recording of procedures can be distracting and make them feel uncomfortable or anxious, as well as identifying them.

The society is pushing for NHS policies to stress that permission is required first and to be restricted to personal use not wider disclosure.

UHDB, which oversees Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital in Burton, said: “We have a policy designed to support patients in using their personal devices appropriately within UHDB premises. 

“We appreciate the importance of communication with loved ones when patients are in hospital and the key role that mobile phones play in this. 

“To support this, we have provided guidance on how mobile phones and other devices can be used safely and respectfully, maintaining confidentiality, privacy and dignity for all patients in our care.

“The policy, which was approved in January 2024, covers the use of personal mobile devices in our hospitals and their use by staff, patients and visitors, and states: ‘Can I record anything with my phone or device?’ Patients, staff and visitors all have a legal right to confidentiality, privacy and dignity. Therefore, you cannot take a photo, or record video or audio, of anyone at a UHDB site without their permission.

“To support UHDB to be a great place to work and receive care, we continue to listen to feedback from patients, visitors and staff, and align to national guidance on how we support safe mobile usage on our sites.”