Confidentiality AW_Layout 1 17/05/2012 10:31 Page 1

1

WHO IS THIS LEAFLET FOR?

This leaflet is for young people aged 11-19years who are using healthservices. This includes young people attending clinics, staying in hospitalor when you are looked after by a team of specialists.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

It explains your right to privacy when you are using health services.

WHAT DOES CONFIDENTIALITY MEAN?

It means keeping information about you safe and private. The healthservice keeps all your health information confidential. This includes:

• anything you say to a health worker;

• information that someone writes about you,

and;

• details of any treatment you have had.

You can talk to health workers about anything to do with your health. Ifyou want to talk to a health worker about something personal, they mustkeep this information confidential, even if you are under 16. This may beinformation about:

• sex;

• relationships;

• pregnancy;

• contraception;

• drugs and alcohol; or

• feeling down;

In other words we are “here to listen and not to tell”

Confidentiality AW_Layout 1 17/05/2012 10:31 Page 1

2

ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS?

Sometimes health workers do need to share information about you togive you the best care.

They can share information about you with other health workers who arelooking after you – for example, health workers at another hospital orclinic if you have agreed to go there.

• This is to make your care safer, easier and faster.

• They will only share information that is needed to give you the bestcare.

• If there are particular things that you don’t want to be shared, tell thestaff looking after you.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER SITUATIONS WHEN THEY MIGHT NOT BEABLE TO KEEP THINGS PRIVATE?

If they think you are at risk of serious harm or you are in danger, theymay have to tell another adult about it to be able to help you. But eventhen, they should tell you they are going to do this and explain who theywill tell and why.

Sometimes the law allows the health service to share information aboutyou without you agreeing to it. This would only happen in very serioussituations – for example, if you have an illness that puts other people atrisk, such as meningitis.

Sometimes, people who inspect child protection services may ask tolook at the records of children who have been involved with theseservices. This is to make sure that children are protected from harm.These inspectors must keep your personal information safe and privateunless they think you are in danger.

CAN I SEE THE DOCTOR OR NURSE WITHOUT MY PARENTS?

Yes. You have the right to see health workers without your parents and itis good practice for health workers to offer to see you by yourself at

Confidentiality AW_Layout 1 17/05/2012 10:31 Page 2

3

each visit. If you would like to see a health worker without your parentsyou can ask any member of staff to arrange this.

It is up to you whether you see the health worker with your parents. Youhave the right to have a parent, carer or friend with you when you see ahealth worker.

If you see a health worker on your own the health worker should discusswith you what information you will share with your parents and who isgoing to do this.

WILL MY PARENTS BE GIVEN INFORMATION ABOUT ME?

Usually, health workers are not allowed to tell your parents anything youhave talked to them about, unless you have agreed to this. But the healthworker may suggest that you speak to your parents or an adult you trust.

A health worker may want to send out information to you. If you don’twant your parents to see this, you can:

• ask them to post it to a friend’s address

• say you’ll pick it up, or

• ask them not to send anything.

Remember, your parents can come with you to talk to your appointmentif you want.

WHAT IF MY PARENTS WANT TO LOOK AT MY HEALTH RECORDS?

Your health records include information about your health and anytreatment you have had. Your records can be written on paper, held oncomputer or both.

Usually your parents can’t see your health records unless you agree tothis. If there’s something in your health records that you don’t want yourparents to see, tell a health worker.

If your doctor doesn’t think you can make decisions about your healthcare, your parents may be allowed to see your health records withoutyou agreeing to it. But this would only happen if the doctor thought itwas best for you.

Confidentiality AW_Layout 1 17/05/2012 10:31 Page 3

4

CAN I SEE MY OWN HEALTH RECORDS?

Yes. You should be able to see your records in a way that you canunderstand. Any codes or words you don’t understand should beexplained to you.

• You may want to know about treatment you have had, or check thatinformation about you is correct.

• It’s your choice whether to look at your health records.

• You may have to pay to see them. But you will be told about this first.

• To find out more about seeing your health records, ask to speak to thepractice manager at your GP surgery or the records manager at thehospital.

WHAT IF I’M UNHAPPY ABOUT HOW MY INFORMATION HAS BEENKEPT OR USED?

If you think that what you’ve told a health worker hasn’t been keptprivate or that something in your health records is wrong:

• tell one of the health workers who has been involved in your care, or

• ask your parent or another adult you trust to do this for you.

If you’re still unhappy, it’s okay to make a complaint. The leaflet Havingyour say! tells you how to do this. Ask for this leaflet at any place whereyou get health care, or get it on the internet.

Sometimes young people want to be able to get advice or treatment,such as contraception, but may not want to tell their parents. If you areable to agree for yourself, the doctor or nurse will not tell them withoutyour permission except in exceptional circumstances to protect you orsomeone else from serious harm.

In very serious or complicated situations, a court can be asked to decidewhether it is right for your doctor to go ahead with a particulartreatment. This might happen, for example, if you and your parentsdisagreed over.

Confidentiality AW_Layout 1 17/05/2012 10:31 Page 4

5

TO FIND OUT MORE

You can ask to see a copy of our confidentiality or complaints policies atany time. Just ask a member of staff and they will get a copy for you.

If you want more information on having your say about health servicesincluding making a complaint please see our leaflet Having Your Saywhich is available from the Young People’s Health Special Interest Groupwww.yphsig.org.uk alternatively you can ask a member of staff to giveyou a copy.

If you want more information on your right to be involved in decisionsabout you and your health then you please see our leaflet Consent whichis available from the Young People’s Health Special Interest Groupwww.yphsig.org.uk alternatively you can ask a member of staff to giveyou a copy.

If you want more information on confidentiality and your right to privacywhen you are in contact with health services you can contact:

Citizens Advice Bureau

Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or visitwww.citizensadvice.org.uk

NHS Direct

0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Confidentiality AW_Layout 1 17/05/2012 10:31 Page 5

6

Confidentiality AW_Layout 1 17/05/2012 10:31 Page 6

This leaflet is produced by the Young People’sHealth Special Interest Group of the RoyalCollege of Paediatrics and Child Health.

You can download this publication or ordercopies on line at:

www.yphsig.org.uk and www.rcpch.ac.uk

Confidentiality AW_Layout 1 17/05/2012 10:31 Page 7