NHS Interview: Confidentiality Question

purple12

FBaby wrote: »

I do agree that the question is actually very badly formulated. Confidentiality policy is about the right of patients not to see their personal information disclosed in any mean, or used unless it has a clinical purpose. It usually applies to the use of data.

The question does indeed seem to relate to safeguarding, but if that's the case, they should clarify that the patient wanted to tell you something that was highlighting a safeguarding issue, rather than confidential information.

Except I suppose it's far more likely for a patient to talk about confidentiality rather than safeguarding because they might not be thinking in those terms - so might not walk up and say 'I want to raise a safeguarding concern' - in which case, the question is mirroring a decision needed on the spot. Agree that response would be to explain that safeguarding concerns can override confidentiality. When I speak to people in my work setting, I say that the conversations we have are confidential with the exception of any safeguarding concerns which may need to be raised in which case I would have to disclose.

FBaby

Yes good point, but if as applicant you already understand the difference and the fact that the relevant policy that applies to this situation is the Safeguarding one and not the Confidentiality one, the way the question is worded could be confusing, especially when put on the spot.

nimbo

GothicStirling wrote: »

So, if someone approached me with a safeguarding issue (i.e. suicidal thoughts), does NHS safeguarding policy then override NHS Confidentiality guidelines that I must have the patient's consent before sharing the information?

As a professional I Am bound to keep a persons confidentiality. However there are always exceptions. Within the services I have worked this is service wide e.g we theoretically all have access to the notes but should only access notes we need to. My supervisor would audit notes and people covering would have a look etc.

The only reasons I would break confidentiality would be harm to self harm to others - we would usually discuss with a client prior to breaching confindetiality unless we couldn't get in touch e.g person reported missing and the police were calling to see if we had seen them or a social services section 47 investigation etc. this is as far as I am aware fairly standard. If we couldn't get in touch we would tell them after. We also wouldn't tell the client if there was a chance of destroying evidence - eg an admission of abuse etc. So far never happened. All explained to a client at assessment etc.

IN the instance you described I would also mention - where you were. Eg in a public space. The person may have been confused and needed support to recognise discussing private issues may be better discussed in a private space - also indicating that you would support the personif they wished to have the discussion with a worker or pals volunteer who may be better placed to follow the information up or through etc.

Sorry for the typos - been eating tea with one hand as it was finished part way through. Haha

Smedders11

Have you not done your information governance training? If you're an internal candidate you presumably will have mandatory training, and so access to the short courses, which may refresh you or offer insight.

Though having re-read your post, I would also struggle with what to do if a patient insisted on disclosing information personally.