Question 1.1
Identify legislation and codes of practice that relate to handling information in health and social care
Legislation and codes of practice that relate to handling information in health and social care are as follows:
• Data Protection Act 1998
• Freedom of Information Act 2000
• Carers Code of Practice
• Caldecott Principles
• Human Rights Act1998
• Caldecott Principles
• Care Standards Act
The Data Protection Act 1998 is a key piece of legislation to ensure people's rights regarding the confidentiality of their personal information. It highlights 8 principles that define good practice when handling someone else's personal data and breaching these principles can lead to serious legal implications. In health and social care many policies and procedures are based on the principles of the Data Protection Act to ensure that client details remain confidential.
The Human Rights Act 1998 also states the right to a private life. The right to have one's private life respected also includes that private and confidential information gets respected and that details are shared and stored in accordance with strict rules and regulations.
The Caldicott Standards also provide additional guidance for health and social care providers on how to manage confidentiality and access personal information in accordance with the Data Protection Act. It highlights 6 principles on how to protect and handle personal information correctly.
The Freedom of Information act 2000 creates the ‘right of access’ to the public of general information help by public authorities, local authorities and the National Health Service. Personal data cannot be accessed as this is protected by the Data Protection Act 1998.
Carers Code of Practice
One of the central codes of practice in health and social care has been provided by the GSCC and it sets standards of practice and behaviour for staff working in that field, including standards for handling information and maintaining...