Our privacy officer Tracy Brinson is leaving after 28 years following a range of roles across Dorset Council. These are her farewell thoughts on the Dorset Care Record and Information Governance.
Imagine a football match at the beginning of a new season. Both teams are chomping at the bit to get their first victory and grab those precious three points. Side A is up to speed with all the rules and regulations having poured over the Football Association’s rule book. Side B has failed to notice the offside rule has changed meaning that at least one attacker can be ahead of the last line of defence when the ball is passed through. The result? Side B faces a crisis of confidence. The calamity of an unprepared side and a heavy defeat. And a loss of support and belief from their fan base. The moral of the story – if you are prepared and up to date with developments you stand a much better chance of victory.
We now have nearly 2,500 users across our partners that have completed the mandatory training around information sharing and discussion to view. They know that the move two years ago to a public task “discussion to view” model means no longer having to ask the citizen for permission to view their record every time they’re receiving treatment. Instead, at a suitable point in the care journey, an information discussion with take place with the patient to ensure they are content for their record to be shared.
They will also know that their organisation, along with any other organisation we deal with, have signed up to the Dorset Information Sharing Charter (DiSC), which underpins the Dorset Care Record (DCR). The DiSC’s principles and commitments ensures members:
- Have a lawful basis for sharing
- Use Personal Information Sharing Agreements (PiSA’s) at point of need
- Encourage sharing and promote best practice
- Ensure staff are properly trained and aware of legal requirements
- Are protected from unlawful use of personal data
- Follow the Caldicott and Department of Health and Social Care principles
- Have a nominated Information Governance (IG) lead.
This knowledge gives health and social care staff the confidence to use the DCR in a safe and appropriate manner. This knowledge is supplemented by the training around navigation of the DCR, GP records, HMTL summary views, sensitive records and recording a discussion to view.
The training helps ensure that professionals do not fall into the trap of following some of the common misconceptions elsewhere around the country. The Information Commissioner’s Office has too many examples where practitioners have mistakenly looked at records of friends and family or even celebrities that they are not treating. Such action is illegal and often results in dismissal and a stain on a professional’s career.
It is these concerns that prompt some people in Dorset to opt out of the DCR. Fortunately, we have only had just under 0.2% of people living in Dorset opting out on these types of grounds, and some who initially had suspicions have re-joined the record. People who have many different ailments and being treated by numerous health professionals benefit most from the record as practitioners have full details of past and current medications.
Engagement has been key to keeping opt-outs low. Two years ago, on the back of GDPR legislation, every household in the county received a leaflet highlighting our public task model. This was backed by radio and print advertising and engagement sessions across the county. Since then, we’ve always been clear – whether at public meetings, partner open days, presentations or through our social media channels – that we are striving to be open and transparent about people’s data, recognising their privacy rights and ensuring good security and governance is available.
While in hospital recently, the potential of the DCR was made clear to me following concerns around an elderly lady being discharged because staff were concerned about support she would have had at home following an operation. Once all the social care feeds, including care packages and Circle of Care, are in the DCR, this will both enhance patient safety and speed up the discharge process.
- For information about the DCR Privacy Notice and Data Protection documents go to DCR Privacy Notice and Data Protection – Dorset Care Record (dorsetcouncil.gov.uk)
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