Conflicts about sharing information can be a source of concern. It can be difficult to get a balance between service users’ right to privacy and carers’ need for information. Respecting confidentiality is an important part of the trust between the service user and their health care professionals. However, there are times when family and friends may wish to know as much as possible to help and support their loved one and to keep them safe.
Everyone has the right to keep certain information private. All too often however, the interpretation of this right in healthcare systems is a problem. It can block information that is not sensitive being shared with close relatives or friends. A mental health professional can share general information about a particular disorder, for example depression. They could share what helps someone who is depressed to feel better, without breaking confidentiality rules.
Useful Resources
Carers Trust
carers.org
Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers.
The Triangle of Care is a Carers Trust initiative – developed by carers and staff to improve partnership working between service users and their carers and healthcare providers.
It offers a membership scheme to help mental health trusts to ensure the triangle of care standards are achieved. One important standard is number 3: ‘Policy and practice protocols re: confidentiality and sharing information.’
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Rethink Mental Illness
www.rethink.org
Rethink are a mental health charity in England. They provide advice, online resources and carers services.
Rethink have a specific factsheet on “Confidentiality, information and your loved one”. This factsheet provides information on information being shared without consent, how confidentiality is affected by the Mental Health Act and the decisions the service user can make in advance around the sharing of information.
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