Social media guidelines

Social media means any online platform where you create and share content, such as X, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Bluesky, Instagram, Pinterest and Tumblr. These guidelines also cover blogs and mailing lists such as Jiscmail, which share many of the same characteristics.

What you post reflects on your personal and professional conduct. Readers will see it as coming from a member of your profession, and often from your organisation, even when you are not speaking for either. A post on a personal account, outside work time, can still lead to a complaint to the RCT if it appears to breach the Code of Professional Conduct.

Principles to follow

Quality and accuracy – keep your content well written, accurate and up to date. Check facts and links before you post.
Respect – never post or share anything that could be seen as offensive, derogatory, bullying or harassment.
Confidentiality – never post or share anything that might identify a patient, directly or indirectly; a person can be identified without being named. The same applies to confidential information and intellectual property.
Copyright – never use someone else’s images or content without permission.
Privacy – do not publish pictures of other people without their consent.

Speaking on behalf of the RCT

When you comment on social media, make it clear that you are not speaking for the RCT or any of the professional bodies that manage the register. Do not use the RCT or PSA accredited register logos on personal social media accounts.