Handling Information In Health And Social Care Settings

1.1 Identify legislation and codes of practice that relate to handling information in health and social care. There are several forms of legislation and codes of practice relating to handling information in health and social care including: Data Protection act 1998

Freedom of information act 2000
Disability discrimination act 1998
Health and social care act 2012
Codes of practice set out by the CQC and the general social care council

1.2 Summarise the main points of legal requirements and codes of practice for handling information in health and social care Under the data protection act we must make sure the information we handle is: 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 UK without adequate protection
Recorded information includes printed documents, computer files, letters, emails, photographs, and sound or video recordings. The Act does not give people access to their own personal data. This is where the Freedom of information act comes into play.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides public access to information held by public authorities. It does this in two ways:
public authorities are obliged to publish certain information about their activities members of the public are entitled to request information from public authorities.

The disability discrimination act makes it illegal to discriminate against anybody with a disability. This gives people with disability the same rights to information, as anybody else.

The CQC provides us with codes of practice that support us with running the business in lawful manner by using information confidentially and appropriately. Confidential information is likely to include information about a persons: Physical or mental health.

Social or family circumstances.
Financial standing and financial details.
Education, training and employment experience.
Religious beliefs.
Racial or ethnic origin.
Sexuality.
Criminal convictions.
The information could contain sensitive information about their past, condition or illness, team information etc. It is a criminal act if we don not follow these codes of practice.

2.1 Describe features of manual and electronic information storage sytems that help ensure security. Top of Form

Bottom of Form
In our working environment we have lots of paperwork and other information that needs to be kept private and confidential. It is our legal requirement to use and store information in locked areas, that are only available to those that have the relevant clearance to access it. When we communicate with other support workers through text, email or a communication book we always write in a way that will only be understood by the team. We tend to use initials and abbreviate certain things that may be understood by other visitors to our office. We have diaries and phonebooks, which are kept private and only available to appropriate members of staff. We also have a system called Carefree, which has all of our clients and staff data kept on a computer database. This is password protected and only certain members of staff have access to it. There are different levels with higher amounts of information. 2.2 Demonstrate practices that ensure security when storing and accessing information 2.3 Maintain records that are up to date, complete, accurate and legible

3.1 Support others to understand the need for secure handling of information When I am supporting new members of staff I would firstly introduce them to the current legislation that is in place to ensure that they are operating within the law. I would explain to them how important it is to maintain the records and keep them confidential for appropriate users only. I would advise others to take extra care when leaving documents exposed in offices and to always make sure that they are in private when making telephone calls about service users. I would introduce the filing and Carefree system that we use to them. Sometimes a family member will phone up and it is the immediate reaction of a support worker to give them information. If a family member has not been included into the information circle then I would explain that under no circumstances should any information shouldn’t be passed on, unless agreed by the service user.

3.2 Support others to understand and contribute to records
Firstly I would explain how we document information via the communication book etc and explain how we always use a client’s initials instead of the full name. I would explain to keep to the main points of focus and to always keep the information relevant. I would advise them on always using the date, time and any other details, which may be helpful. I would explain where to keep the information and who will access to it. The importance of the information needs to be highlighted, as it will be kept on file and this will stay with the clients team in the future, should they ever move on.