All patient information is considered to be confidential and we comply fully with the Data Protection Act 2018 and Information Governance. All employees have access to this information in relation to their role. To ensure all employees understand their responsibilities they will each sign a confidentiality agreement.

It is our legal duty to keep information about you confidential. Our guiding principle is that we are holding your records in strict confidence.

We have a duty to

• Maintain full & accurate records of the care we provide to you
• Keep records about you confidential, secure & accurate
• Provide information in a format that is accessible to you

Information may be shared, in confidence, with other NHS organisation in the interests of patient care.

We will not share information that identifies you for any reason, unless

• You ask us to do so
• We ask you for specific permission
• We have to do this by law
• We have special permission because the interests of the public are thought to be of greater importance than your confidentiality

For more in depth information about how we handle your personal data and your rights, please view the full information leaflets for you to download and print.

• How we use your Health Records
• Freedom of Information Act 2000

Introduction

There may be times when vulnerable patients and/or their carers need assistance in gaining the help, support and advice they need. This could be for a variety of reasons, including when they are looking to access benefits, support, or health and social services.

An advocate is a person independent of the NHS and social services, who is not one of the patient’s family or friends. They will help direct the patient to gain, argue the patient’s case and help to make sure that correct procedures are followed.

Not every area of the country has a dedicated advocacy service, however if they do it can usually be found through the local council. Patients can find this out by going to the local council website or visiting www.gov.uk.

Greenwich Mind

Telephone: 020 3198 2222

Greenwich Mind advocates work as instructed by the client. Therefore they work differently according to the needs and wishes of our individual clients. Some common examples of advocacy work include:

• Listening to you and helping you have your voice heard.
• Supporting you in making complaints regarding services.
• Supporting you with regard to accessing personal budgets (‘personalisation’).
• Supporting you in seeking to further your education, including accessing grants, etc.
• Supporting you in gaining legal advice and representation if necessary.
• Providing information on community groups and support networks.

If you have a care coordinator from your local social services or healthcare team, they could be another point of call for the patient.

Help can also be gained from services such as Age UK and Diabetes UK, who can help patients find the help and support they need.

Care UK have a free advice line for carers on 0808 808 7777, or you can visit their website at www.careuk.com.

The Data Protection Act 1998 gives every living person (or authorised representative) the right to apply for access to their health records.