Privacy Policy

Policy Details

Introduction

Client and patient privacy and dignity is integral to the care and services offered here at the service. We take this seriously and will endeavour to ensure that privacy and dignity is respected at all times.

Scope and Aim

The aim of this policy is to provide staff with guidance on the promotion of standards of care which afford the utmost privacy, dignity and respect to people who use our services.

Responsibility for protecting and promoting privacy, dignity and respect does not lie with one individual but with all staff to embed a culture where everyone matters.

Privacy and Dignity Benchmarks

The privacy and dignity benchmarks that the service embeds are as follows:

  • Attitudes and behaviours of the team
  • Respecting personal identity
  • Respecting personal boundaries and space
  • Communicating with staff and people who use our service
  • Privacy of client/patient confidentiality and information
  • Patient/client modesty

Dignity Challenges

Developing a culture to deliver care that fulfils all statutory, organisational and best practice requirements, the service is committed to the principles in the 10 Dignity Challenges (DH 2006).

10 Dignity Challenges

  1. Have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse.
  2. Support people with the same respect you want for yourself or a member of your family.
  3. Treat each person as an individual by offering a personalised service.
  4. Enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of choice and control.
  5. Listen and support people to express their needs and wants.
  6. Respect people’s right to privacy.
  7. Ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution.
  8. Engage with carers if the client/patient has an accompanying support person.
  9. Assist people to maintain confidence and a positive self-esteem.
  10. Act to alleviate people’s loneliness and isolation.

Team Responsibility

All team members should be accountable for their behaviours and have an individual responsibility as part of their normal duties for the implementation of this policy.

Team members should:

  • Identify their own training needs in respect of policies and procedures and bring them to the attention of the manager.
  • Attend training in duty of care.
  • Learn from client/patient experience feedback.

Attitudes and Behaviours

Staff should introduce themselves on initial contact with anyone using the service, stating their name.

Staff should ensure that clients/patients feel that they matter and do not experience negative or offensive attitudes or behaviour.

Staff should ensure good attitudes and behaviour are promoted, including consideration of non-verbal behaviour and body language.

Clients/patients should experience an environment that actively encompasses respect for individual values, beliefs and personal relationships.

All clients/patients should be treated equitably.

References