A HARPENDEN surgery has been accused of breaching patient confidentiality after a man claimed he heard private health information being discussed by a member of staff as he waited to see his doctor.

Stephen Brown insists he heard a receptionist discussing a patient's private health data over the telephone as he waited for an appointment with his doctor in the waiting room of The Village Surgery in Harpenden on Thursday morning.

Stephen told the Review: "Although both myself and wife were sitting some distance away from the reception area, it was easy to hear the receptionist talking to someone and discussing information of a personal nature.

"For all I know they might have been the patient, which might make it a little less awkward, but if they were talking to a third party it goes beyond the bounds of breach of privacy.

"It's disgraceful. I wouldn't want any of my personal health records being discussed in a public environment, which is what a waiting room is.

"There were very few people in the waiting room, but I have been there when the waiting room has been full of people, any of whom could have heard personal information being discussed over the telephone.

"I tried to raise my concerns with the NHS Direct agency upon my return home, but only ever received an answering machine message stating that all of their staff were dealing exclusively with swine flu callers."

Stephen, of Station Road, Harpenden, has lodged a formal complaint with the surgery and West Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust, the body responsible for GP surgeries in the area. He has also taken the matter up with Harpenden MP Peter Lilley.

The Review has contacted West Herts PCT for comment and is awaiting a response.