Confidentiality

Principles

Patients have a right to expect that information about them will be held in confidence by their doctors.

Confidentiality is central to trust between doctors and patients. Without assurances about confidentiality, patients may be reluctant to give doctors the information they need in order to provide good care.

However, sharing appropriate information is an essential part of providing efficient, safe and effective care for both the individual patient and the wider community of patients.

Information should be readily available to patients and they should clearly understand that unless they object, their personal information may be disclosed for the sake of their own care and for local clinical audit purposes.

Most patients understand the need for the healthcare team who provides their care need to be aware of their personal information. However, they are less likely to be aware of disclosures to others for purposes other than their own care (e.g. service planning or medical research).

They must therefore be informed about disclosures for purposes they would not reasonably expect.

Although confidentiality is an important duty, it is not absolute because information can be disclosed if:

• It is required by law
• The patient consents – either implicitly for the sake of their own care or expressly for other purposes
• It is justified in the public interest

Your paper and electronic notes are held securely at the practice. NHS staff involved in your care may be allowed access to your notes. All NHS staff are bound by a code of confidentiality. Anonymised data may be released for public health or research purposes.

Information should be readily available to patients and they should clearly understand that unless they object, their personal information may be disclosed for the sake of their own care and for local clinical audit purposes.

Most patients understand the need for the healthcare team who provides their care need to be aware of their personal information. However, they are less likely to be aware of disclosures to others for purposes other than their own care (e.g. service planning or medical research).

They must therefore be informed about disclosures for purposes they would not reasonably expect.

Although confidentiality is an important duty, it is not absolute because information can be disclosed if:

• It is required by law
• The patient consents – either implicitly for the sake of their own care or expressly for other purposes
• It is justified in the public interest

Your paper and electronic notes are held securely at the practice. NHS staff involved in your care may be allowed access to your notes. All NHS staff are bound by a code of confidentiality. Anonymised data may be released for public health or research purposes.