Access Denied

Use of Social Media

NHS Tayside recognises the universal presence and benefits of social media and welcomes its use. However, we also acknowledge that certain risks are associated with these new channels. NHS Tayside is currently using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as its main social media channels for corporate communications to share public messages and information.

As a potential staff member of NHS Tayside, please be mindful of the potential risks involved in using doctors Facebook pages which are not officially recognised or covered by NHS Tayside Social Media Policy. Below is an extract from NHS Tayside Social Media Policy.

All staff should be mindful of the information and images they disclose on social networking
sites, especially when they:

identify their association with their employer;
discuss their work in any way;
can be identified as a staff member by other means (for example, by mentioning “working at an NHS Tayside hospital” or posting a photograph in uniform)

NHS Tayside has a reputation to uphold and the public must be able to trust the integrity of staff, their confidentiality and values. To this end, individuals should carefully consider whether they identify themselves as a member of staff by revealing their place of work and/or occupation.

Employees must not:

Engage in activities on the internet/social media which might bring NHS Tayside into disrepute
Share NHS Tayside information which is not publicly available;
Post information relating to patients and/or patients relatives;
Post video or images taken on health premises;
Post offensive or obscene information or material;
Disclose commercially sensitive or privacy marked information;
Disclose their work email address on personal social networks;
Use the internet/social media in any way to attack or abuse colleagues;
Refer to or comment about colleagues, patients or the service in an abusive or harassing manner
Knowingly join networks or conversations with patients/services users or their relatives where a direct patient/employee relationship exists;
In the course of undertaking their duties as an employee use any of the organisation’s social media networks to express personal views which NHS Tayside would not wish to be connected with
For further information see quick tips section of the NHS Tayside Social Media Guidelines Accept or make ‘friend’ requests from patients or service users or their carers where a direct patient/employee relationship exists;
Knowingly ‘follow’ patients or service users or their carers where a direct patient/employee relationship exists or Directly reply to messages or posts from patients or service users or their carers where a direct patient/employee relationship exists.

NHS Tayside employees must be considerate of their personal and professional boundaries when accepting friend requests or requesting to join a social network that may include colleagues, patients or relatives. If staff are in any doubt as to how this would impact on a specific situation they should seek advice from their line manager.

NHS Tayside will not monitor an employee’s social networking sites and does not intend to be overly prescriptive about how employees should conduct themselves in their private and personal lives. However, where material is brought to the attention of the organisation which may be considered to be inappropriate, NHS Tayside will investigate in line with the appropriate Policy or legislation, for example but not exclusively, Employee Conduct, Preventing and Dealing with Bullying and Harassment, Data Protection. Staff must not register for a personal social media account(s) using their nhs.net email address.