Confidentiality

Question 1

What is the purpose of Caldicot Report

Answer 1

The Caldicott Report (December 1997) and Executive Letter (January 1999) set in motion a process of continuous improvement in medical confidentiality within the National Health Service

Question 2

What are the six principle of the Caldicot report

Answer 2

1. Justify the purpose(s) for using patient data
2. Don’t use patient-identifiable information unless it is absolutely necessary
   3.Use the minimum necessary patient-identifiable information
3. Access to patient-identifiable information should be on a strict need to know
   basis
4. Everyone should be aware of their responsibilities to maintain confidentiality
5. Understand and comply with the law, in particular the Data Protection Ac

Question 3

What is a section 251

Answer 3

the use of confidential patient information for the surveillance, control and prevention of communicable diseases.

Question 4

What is classed as Patient Identifiable Information

Answer 4

• patient’s name, address, full post code, date of birth;
• pictures, photographs, videos, audio-tapes or other images of patients;
• NHS number and local patient identifiable codes;
• anything else that may be used to identify a patient directly or indirectly. For example, rare diseases, drug treatments or statistical analyses which have very small numbers within a small population may allow individuals to be identified.

Question 5

HCPC guidance in confidentiality, state the principles that you should keep in mind

Answer 5

– take all reasonable steps to keep information about service users safe;
– get the service user’s informed consent if you are passing on their information, and get express consent, in writing, if you are using the information for reasons which are not related to providing care or services for the service user;
– only disclose identifiable information if it is absolutely necessary, and, when it is necessary, only disclose the minimum amount necessary;
– tell service users when you have disclosed their information (if this is practical and possible);
– keep appropriate records of disclosure;
– keep up to date with relevant law and good practice;
– if appropriate, ask for advice from colleagues, professional bodies, unions, legal professionals or us; and
– make your own informed decisions about disclosure and be able to justify them.

Question 6

Two types of consent are

Answer 6

• Implied

- Express

Question 7

When sharing information with other health care professionals you must remember to

Answer 7

– it is necessary to provide the information and the information you provide is relevant;
– the professional receiving the information understands why you are sharing it and that they have a duty to keep it confidential; and
– you explain to the service user the possible effect of not sharing information about their care or other services you are providing.

Question 8

When and what must you remember when sharing info without consent

Answer 8

n circumstances where it is not possible to get consent (for example, in some emergencies), you may have to disclose information if it is in the best interests of the service user.

Question 9

explain the Data Protection Act 1998

Answer 9

Data Protection Act controls how your personal information is used by organisations, businesses or the government.

Question 10

What are the ‘data protection principles’.

Answer 10

-used fairly and lawfully
-used for limited, specifically stated purposes
-used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive
accurate
-kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary
-handled according to people’s data protection rights
-kept safe and secure
not transferred outside the European Economic Area without adequate protection

Question 11

There is stronger legal protection for more sensitive information, such as:

Answer 11

• ethnic background
• political opinions
• religious beliefs
• health
• sexual health
• criminal records