Consultation on protecting patient confidentiality launched

A consultation has been launched on a code of practice designed to help healthcare staff make the right decisions about protecting and disclosing patient information.

The Code of Practice, which will replace existing guidance, has been drawn up by the Privacy Advisory Committee chaired by Professor Roy McClelland.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) said: “It is essential that personal information about patients and clients can be passed easily within the health and social care service (HSC). However, all concerned need to be aware there is a legal duty to protect the confidentiality of this information.

“Following an earlier consultation it was recommended that a Privacy Advisory Committee (PAC) be established to advise HSC bodies about using patient information.

“The PAC guidance is now being issued for public consultation and we would encourage the wider general public to share their views about how personal information should be used and protected.”

The consultation is available on the DHSSPS website

Commenting on the Code of Practice, PAC Chair, Professor Roy McClelland said: “All Health and Social Care staff have an ethical and legal obligation to protect the information shared with them by users of the services.

“The aim of this code of practice, therefore, is to support staff in making good decisions about the protections, uses and disclosures of service user information. This code is intended to provide a clear reference point for all staff involved in Health and Social Care.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The DHSSPS undertook an earlier public consultation on protecting personal information in Health and Social Care bodies which resulted in 14 recommendations designed to improve the way in which those bodies handle the personal information of service users.

2. One of the 14 recommendations was that a Privacy Advisory Committee should be established, to take forward the implementation of the other 13 recommendations. The PAC was established last year under the Chairmanship of Professor Roy McClelland. The principal role of the PAC is to advise HSC bodies about the use of information relating to patients and clients.

3. One of the other 13 recommendations for the PAC to implement is to develop a comprehensive Code of Practice on confidentiality to replace existing guidance in this area.

4. The PAC has now drafted the replacement guidance entitled ‘Code of Practice on Protecting the Confidentiality of Service User Information’.

5. The closing date for responses is 9 November 2007.

Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and you call will be returned.