A1: Explain the boundaries of confidentiality in relation to safeguarding,
protection and welfare of individuals.
Confidential information is information that identifies a service user, which includes personal and
sensitive information about them. Any of the types of data could be confidential information under
certain circumstances. Examples of confidential information include: name, date of birth, medical
records, bank details and credit card information, addresses, NHS number, national insurance number,
personal issues, passwords, phone numbers, assessments and reports, and contact details of family. It is
important to maintain confidentiality as it’s the most important value when caring for others. For
service users to have their information shared is not only a breach in privacy, but it will destroy
employee trust, confidence and loyalty. Breaking confidentiality can cause mistrust and they may not
feel safe in that environment. Furthermore, this can lead to the service user in harm, abuse and loss of
dignity. If confidential information is accessed by someone without authority this could lead to the loss
of business or clients, but it also unlocks the danger of confidential information being misused to
commit illegal activity such as fraud. (Care Check 2022).
When working in a health and social care setting there can be times where patients/service users give
out specific information. There are three times confidentiality can be broken by health and social care
practitioners. The first being if an individual is at risk of being harmed or killed. Another is if an individual
is at risk of causing harm or death to others and lastly, if the individual is about to or has already broken
the law. Health and social care practitioners must follow legislation and policies when sharing
information. Practitioners might share information if they have concerns and to keep them safe from
harm. Whenever information should be shared with consent as the individual has the right. Also, when
sharing information all information should be based on fact not assumption and opinions. Must be clear
regarding the nature of the situation, only given out to people who have authority and have to know
about the situation like the manager or safeguarding team, strictly limited to the needs of the situation
and recorded in writing with reasons stated. For example, if in a hospital and a nurse needs access to a
patient's medical record, to maintain confidentiality they should only have access to what information is
necessary, not the whole record. Another example is when sharing information to family, practitioners
should be open and honest where appropriate and consider if sharing information will affect their safety
and wellbeing of the person and others who may be affected. (Uk parliament 2022).
The Data Protection Act (1998) helps define the information held about individuals and only those with a
legitimate relationship to you or have the appropriate authority will have access to this information. The
act covers that both paper documents and electronic information should be treated and used in a way
where no one without authority or who should not have access to confidential information should not
have access and should be completely protected. To ensure the Data Protection Act is in use all staff are
trained to know and understand how to collect and manage confidentiality and how to share
information discreetly when needed.
, The Caldicott Principles are a set of rules that organisations must follow to protect patient information
that could identify them, such as their name or medical records. This ensures that sensitive information
is only used and shared when it is appropriate.
The first principle is to Justify the purpose(s) for using confidential information. This principle outlines
the importance that the reasons for giving out any personal and sensitive information about a service
user are clearly stipulated. Confidential information should only be shared if the reason is in the
individual's best interest.
The second principle is to use confidential information only when it is necessary. This principle describes
that giving out personal information on any service user can be an issue of safety and should be taken
into serious consideration. The only time confidential information should be shared is if a service user is
in harm. If confidential information is given out to not protect a service user then when asking for advice
you shouldn't give away the service user's name or any information that could give away who they are.
The third principle is to use the minimum necessary confidential information. This principle outlines that
only essential information should be given out about an individual, only the most important and least
personal data should be shared. Each data on a patient should be checked and considered before being
shared to secure confidentiality.
The fourth principle is that access to confidential information should be on a strict need-to-know basis.
Data may be requested by a variety of individuals or organisations for access, or to be shared with them,
and it is the responsibility of the health or social worker to ensure that this is not allowed, and personal
confidential data will always remain private from those who shouldn't be able to see it.
The fifth principle is everyone with access to confidential information should be aware of their
responsibilities. This principle describes how taking action should be to ensure that all those involved in
handling confidential information know and understand their responsibilities and obligations to respect
the confidentiality of patient and service users.
The sixth principle is to comply with the law. This principle explains how every use of confidential
information must be lawful. All health and social care staff handling confidential information are
responsible for ensuring that their use of and access to that information complies with legal
requirements.
The seventh principle is the duty to share information for individual care is as important as the duty to
protect patient confidentiality. Health and social care professionals should have the confidence to share
confidential information in the best interests of patients and service users within the framework set out
protection and welfare of individuals.
Confidential information is information that identifies a service user, which includes personal and
sensitive information about them. Any of the types of data could be confidential information under
certain circumstances. Examples of confidential information include: name, date of birth, medical
records, bank details and credit card information, addresses, NHS number, national insurance number,
personal issues, passwords, phone numbers, assessments and reports, and contact details of family. It is
important to maintain confidentiality as it’s the most important value when caring for others. For
service users to have their information shared is not only a breach in privacy, but it will destroy
employee trust, confidence and loyalty. Breaking confidentiality can cause mistrust and they may not
feel safe in that environment. Furthermore, this can lead to the service user in harm, abuse and loss of
dignity. If confidential information is accessed by someone without authority this could lead to the loss
of business or clients, but it also unlocks the danger of confidential information being misused to
commit illegal activity such as fraud. (Care Check 2022).
When working in a health and social care setting there can be times where patients/service users give
out specific information. There are three times confidentiality can be broken by health and social care
practitioners. The first being if an individual is at risk of being harmed or killed. Another is if an individual
is at risk of causing harm or death to others and lastly, if the individual is about to or has already broken
the law. Health and social care practitioners must follow legislation and policies when sharing
information. Practitioners might share information if they have concerns and to keep them safe from
harm. Whenever information should be shared with consent as the individual has the right. Also, when
sharing information all information should be based on fact not assumption and opinions. Must be clear
regarding the nature of the situation, only given out to people who have authority and have to know
about the situation like the manager or safeguarding team, strictly limited to the needs of the situation
and recorded in writing with reasons stated. For example, if in a hospital and a nurse needs access to a
patient's medical record, to maintain confidentiality they should only have access to what information is
necessary, not the whole record. Another example is when sharing information to family, practitioners
should be open and honest where appropriate and consider if sharing information will affect their safety
and wellbeing of the person and others who may be affected. (Uk parliament 2022).
The Data Protection Act (1998) helps define the information held about individuals and only those with a
legitimate relationship to you or have the appropriate authority will have access to this information. The
act covers that both paper documents and electronic information should be treated and used in a way
where no one without authority or who should not have access to confidential information should not
have access and should be completely protected. To ensure the Data Protection Act is in use all staff are
trained to know and understand how to collect and manage confidentiality and how to share
information discreetly when needed.
, The Caldicott Principles are a set of rules that organisations must follow to protect patient information
that could identify them, such as their name or medical records. This ensures that sensitive information
is only used and shared when it is appropriate.
The first principle is to Justify the purpose(s) for using confidential information. This principle outlines
the importance that the reasons for giving out any personal and sensitive information about a service
user are clearly stipulated. Confidential information should only be shared if the reason is in the
individual's best interest.
The second principle is to use confidential information only when it is necessary. This principle describes
that giving out personal information on any service user can be an issue of safety and should be taken
into serious consideration. The only time confidential information should be shared is if a service user is
in harm. If confidential information is given out to not protect a service user then when asking for advice
you shouldn't give away the service user's name or any information that could give away who they are.
The third principle is to use the minimum necessary confidential information. This principle outlines that
only essential information should be given out about an individual, only the most important and least
personal data should be shared. Each data on a patient should be checked and considered before being
shared to secure confidentiality.
The fourth principle is that access to confidential information should be on a strict need-to-know basis.
Data may be requested by a variety of individuals or organisations for access, or to be shared with them,
and it is the responsibility of the health or social worker to ensure that this is not allowed, and personal
confidential data will always remain private from those who shouldn't be able to see it.
The fifth principle is everyone with access to confidential information should be aware of their
responsibilities. This principle describes how taking action should be to ensure that all those involved in
handling confidential information know and understand their responsibilities and obligations to respect
the confidentiality of patient and service users.
The sixth principle is to comply with the law. This principle explains how every use of confidential
information must be lawful. All health and social care staff handling confidential information are
responsible for ensuring that their use of and access to that information complies with legal
requirements.
The seventh principle is the duty to share information for individual care is as important as the duty to
protect patient confidentiality. Health and social care professionals should have the confidence to share
confidential information in the best interests of patients and service users within the framework set out
