Trust usage of Social Media

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust uses social media platforms to share information about the Trust and our work with service users, carers and members of the public as well as other organisations and professionals such as journalists.
 
We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We may use analytics or third parties to analyse our social media channels for trends, insights and engagement.
 
We typically use our social media accounts in three ways:
  • Share service updates - including new service information, developments and urgent changes to advertised services e.g. clinic closures or change of hours
  • Share relevant campaign information - such as campaigns to destigmatise health and to share public health information.
  • Showcase individuals and teams - working in the Trust, with a focus on celebration of the difference they make as well as sharing learning
 
Kettering General Hospitatal will often share relevant information from others through its social media accounts. Sharing of other social media users’ content should not necessarily been seen as Kettering General Hospital endorsing the information or the views of that organisation or individual, unless expressly stated.
 
In keeping with the Trust’s legal duties and our responsibilities as a public sector body within the NHS, Kettering General Hospital will not discuss individual patient cases including concerns and complaints on our social media channels. If you need to discuss your care with the Trust, you are advised to contact the team responsible for your care. As an organisation committed to learning and continuous improvement, we welcome and value feedback about your care. If you wish to pass on a compliment or raise a concern or complaint, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) or Complaints team.
 
Kettering General Hospital reserves the right to block individual access to our social media channels in the event that it is not being used appropriately. Any such decision to block access will be carefully considered and will be kept under review.  Reasons for blocking an individual might include for example, if the individual:
  • shares confidential patient information
  • shares information that poses a risk to the safety of patients or the public
  • posts information that could reasonably be considered to be threatening, abusive or insulting
  • behaves in a manner that could reasonably be considered to be aggressive or violent
  • behaves in a manner that could reasonably be considered to constitute trolling or harassment
  • behaves in a manner that is repetitive, rude, inappropriate or unwanted by the recipient (notwithstanding that such may not amount to a criminal offence or actionable civil wrong)
  • acts in a manner that could reasonably be considered to be detrimental to, or contrary to the interests of, the Trust or its partners
 
Kettering General Hospitatal may also restrict access where an individual has been advised about specific ways to contact the Trust for example, to raise concerns, and continues to contact the Trust inappropriately via social media.
 
Access to service information for any individual who is blocked from the Trust’s social media channels will continue to be available through Kettering General Hospital website www.kgh.nhs.uk 
 
The Trust is aware that some members of Kettering General Hospital staff use social media channels in a personal capacity, which identify their professional roles. While they might identify their role, these personal social media accounts are not affiliated with Kettering General Hospital - any views shared by individuals via their personal social media accounts are their own. Individuals have full control of their own personal social media accounts and are free to make their own decisions about who to follow and who to restrict from accessing their accounts.
 
Kettering General Hospital social media accounts are monitored during office hours 09:00-17:00, Monday-Friday, excluding public holidays.