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BMA: Lack of office space risks patient confidentiality

14/04/2008

A lack of appropriate office space and resources in hospitals are risking patient care and confidentiality, the British Medical Association (BMA) claims.

Over a third of junior doctors and consultants (36 per cent) said that changes in the quantity of quality of their office space had impacted on their ability to provide patient care.

Problems include no space for private conversations and 'hot desking' risking patient confidentiality.

Half of junior doctors and a quarter of consultants told a BMA poll that the quantity of their office space had declined over the last year.

And over half (56 per cent) said they do not have the resources they need to do their job.

Dr Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the BMA's consultants committee, said there is "little doubt" that working practices are being affected to the detriment of patient care.

"The plush, spacious, consultant's office is a figment of television imagination," he added.

"Many consultants, junior doctors, and staff and associate specialist grade doctors have no office space at all. Those that do are struggling to cope in tiny spaces shared with colleagues."

Dr Fielden continued: "Doctors handle sensitive information and need space for private conversations with their patients and other staff.

"If they have to 'hot-desk', the confidentiality of their patients is put at risk. Consultants also need office space for the aspects of their work that involve innovation and service improvement."

The BMA today released guidance for consultants on good practice, including that they need suitable office space to ensure patient confidentiality and to maximise their efficiency.