Recording, Filming and Social Media Use
Last Updated: Tuesday, 20 October 2026Recording, Filming and Social Media Use
At 30 Kingsway Surgery, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful and confidential environment for all patients, visitors and staff.
We recognise that patients may sometimes wish to keep a record of conversations about their healthcare or raise concerns about their experience. However, recording conversations without the knowledge of those involved can raise concerns about privacy, confidentiality and trust.
Please read the following guidelines on recording, filming and social media use within our practice.
1. Recording Consultations with Clinicians
Patients who wish to audio-record or video-record a medical consultation are asked to discuss their request with their clinician before recording begins.
Recording may help patients remember important information about their care, understand treatment options and share information with family members or carers.
Requests will be considered individually, taking account of the patient's needs, the purpose of the recording, confidentiality and the circumstances of the consultation.
Where a patient has a disability or other need that affects their ability to understand, remember or communicate information, we will consider whether recording or an alternative arrangement may be an appropriate reasonable adjustment.
Recordings must not compromise the privacy of other patients, capture confidential conversations or interfere with the safe delivery of care.
Patients are asked not to publish or share recordings publicly where this could disclose confidential information, identify other individuals or infringe their privacy or legal rights.
2. Recording Conversations with Staff
Patients and visitors are asked to inform the relevant member of staff and seek agreement before making audio or video recordings of conversations with staff.
This applies to conversations with reception staff, administrators, nurses, GPs, the Practice Manager and other members of the practice team.
It applies to planned meetings, complaint discussions and unplanned conversations, including those held in private rooms.
We understand that conversations may arise unexpectedly. If you wish to record a conversation that has developed spontaneously, please raise this with the staff member before recording begins wherever possible.
Staff may explain their concerns about being recorded and discuss alternative arrangements, such as written correspondence, an agreed note-taker or a rearranged meeting where appropriate.
If a member of staff becomes aware that a conversation is being recorded without their knowledge, they may raise their concerns and ask that the recording stops. The practice may consider proportionate further action in accordance with applicable law and practice procedures.
We recognise that recording without a person's knowledge or agreement does not automatically make a recording unlawful. Each situation will be considered on its individual circumstances.
3. Recording in Reception, Waiting Areas and Other Shared Spaces
To protect the privacy and confidentiality of patients, visitors and staff, photography and video recording are not permitted in reception, waiting areas or other shared areas without prior authorisation from the practice.
Audio recording in these areas is also not permitted under our practice policy without prior authorisation.
These restrictions are intended to prevent the inadvertent recording of confidential conversations, personal information and individuals who may reasonably expect their privacy to be protected while attending the surgery.
We ask everyone to respect the privacy of other patients and to avoid recording conversations or activities taking place around them.
Requests for recording to meet disability-related or other individual needs will be considered on their circumstances, including whether a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.
Where unauthorised recording takes place, staff may explain the policy and ask the individual to stop recording. Further action will depend on the circumstances, including whether confidential information has been captured, other people's privacy has been affected or the recording is disrupting the safe delivery of services.
4. Secret or Covert Recording
We strongly discourage secret or covert recording of conversations with our staff.
Recording a conversation without informing the other person can undermine trust and may raise concerns about privacy, confidentiality and the appropriate use of personal information.
If a covert recording comes to our attention, we may document the incident, raise our concerns with the individual and seek advice where appropriate.
The legality of a recording depends on the circumstances. A recording made without consent is not automatically a criminal offence or a breach of data-protection law. The practice will consider each incident individually and act proportionately.
5. Social Media and Sharing Recordings
Patients and visitors are asked not to publish or share recordings made within the practice where doing so would compromise another person's privacy, disclose confidential information or infringe their legal rights.
Publishing recordings that identify staff or other patients, or reveal confidential conversations, may raise serious privacy, confidentiality and data-protection concerns, depending on the circumstances.
If we become aware that a recording has been shared inappropriately, we may request its removal and seek advice from our information-governance lead or relevant professional advisers. Further action may be considered where appropriate.
The practice cannot assume that every recording made without consent or every breach of this policy automatically gives rise to legal action. Each situation will be assessed on its facts.
6. Complaints and Concerns
We welcome feedback and take complaints about our services seriously.
If you have concerns about your care, a delay in receiving a document or fit note, or your experience at the surgery, we encourage you to raise these directly with the practice through our usual complaints procedure.
Your complaint will be considered fairly and separately from any concerns relating to recording.
Patients will not have a complaint dismissed simply because they have made a recording. Equally, raising a complaint does not remove the need to respect the privacy and confidentiality of other patients and staff.
We aim to resolve concerns constructively and maintain a safe, respectful environment for everyone.
Why These Rules Are Important
Our practice is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of patients, visitors and staff.
Recording in a healthcare setting can inadvertently capture sensitive personal information, confidential discussions or individuals who have not agreed to be recorded. Sharing such material may create additional privacy and confidentiality risks.
These guidelines explain our expectations for recording on practice premises while recognising that individual circumstances, patient needs and applicable legal rights must be taken into account.
We ask all patients and visitors to respect these guidelines and to discuss any intention to record with the relevant member of staff in advance wherever possible.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, private and respectful environment at 30 Kingsway Surgery.