Hello, I would like any advice that you may have regarding a breach of confidentiality by a doctors receptionist. I have a 'friend' who works at a local doctors surgery as a receptionist. I saw her at the local shops today and she came up to me to chat. She started talking about a mutual friend who is suffering with cancer. She went into some detail of how bad things are for this person and how she is now on anti-depressants etc. Before ending the conversation this woman also said to me not to mention it to our friend as she only knows through reading her notes at the surgery. I telephoned the person in question after this and asked how she was doing etc. I did not mention my conversation at the shops with the receptionist but it seems that this person has not actually seen the receptionist for a while. It is not the first time the receptionist has discussed details of patients medical information with myself and other friends but I now think it is time to take some action. This conversation was in the middle of a local shop and open for anyone to hear. Plus I did not ask for this information and did not feel comfortable being given it (this I did say before ending the conversation and leaving the shop). I have thought about writing to the practice manager at the surgery but I would like any advice on who else I can report this too. Surely it is a breach of the data protection act or some medical rules? Thank you in advance for any advice