The Health and Social Care (Safety and Equality) Act 2015 introduced a new legal duty for Health and adult Social Care bodies to share information where this could facilitate the care of the individual. There is a requirement for organisations to use a consistent identifier (NHS number) for data sharing. The three big C’s in the legal! world of Data sharing STILL apply: Capacity; Confidentiality; Consent!!! ….Confused? Well basically all health care providers and commissioners including those contracted to provide services must identify the circumstances where information can be legally shared and where information that can facilitate the provision of health services and adult Social Care and is in the individual’s best interest, should be shared. As per the seventh Caldicot principle: “the duty to share information can be as important as the duty to protect the patient “. Where uncertainty prevails, seek advice!
Written by Puveshni Pillay