Information governance confidentiality code of practice

Ref: BHT POL 199

Patients entrust the NHS to gather sensitive information relating to their health and other matters as part of their seeking treatment. They do so in confidence, and they have the legitimate expectation that staff will respect this trust. Therefore, if the legal requirements are to be met and the trust of patients is to be retained, it is essential that the NHS provides, and is seen to provide, a confidential service.

The purpose of this Code is to establish the practices that Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust will follow to obtain, share, handle and disclose confidential personal information. This Code can be used by colleagues as a guide to help them make decisions about confidential personal information. All colleagues are required to comply with this Code and all Line Managers are responsible for ensuring their staff have read and continue to have access to this Code.

This document is a guide to the required practice and responsibility of those who work within or under contract to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and should be read in conjunction with the Department of Health guidance “Confidentiality: NHS Code of Practice” – November 2003 and the Information Governance Policy.