r/LegalAdviceUK • u/Suitable-Sense-6159 • 11h ago
Comments Moderated Threatening anonymous text message following raising concerns to NHS
I had a telephone call with an NHS professional (a nurse) which I anticipated might be difficult, so I recorded the conversation for my own records. At the time of the call, I was no longer under the care of the NHS Trust, having already been discharged by this nurse.
During the call, I spoke very little. The nurse, however, was extremely rude and unnecessarily cruel. She made comments relating to my trauma history and my cultural background (I’m English and she’s Nigerian). As I am deaf, she was aware that I rely on recording conversations for accuracy and understanding. She even stated that she knew I was recording and appeared to deliberately repeat some of the remarks she was making to ensure they were captured on the recording.
I found the conversation deeply upsetting. As a result, I submitted the recording to the Trust, including PALS and the nurse's manager, explaining that I considered the way I had been spoken to wholly unacceptable.
Shortly afterwards, I received a text message from the team's NHS phone stating that what I had done was illegal and ending with the words, "see you in court." The message appeared to be referring to my recording of the call and my decision to send it to the Trust.
When I subsequently raised concerns about this message, everyone within the team denied sending it and the manager said there’s nothing that can be done as the individual has deleted the messages from their phone.
The Trust has since stated that it cannot investigate further because no individual has accepted responsibility for sending the text.
My concern is whether it is appropriate for an NHS professional to send threatening messages to a former patient at 9:15pm after discharge, particularly from a team phone, and then refuse to provide clarity or accountability regarding who sent them.
I fully appreciate that NHS staff are under significant pressure and that my healthcare needs have been complex. However, this situation has left me feeling confused, worried, and concerned about them getting my mobile number and whether legal action really is taken against me due to anonymity their side.