ABSTRACT
Working in a healthcare setting with members of the public is a very responsible role, and healthcare assistants must be aware of their legal obligations and their patients’ rights. The three most important issues pertaining to the legal aspects of their role are confidentiality, consent and record-keeping. This chapter discusses each of these concepts, and provides a few useful tips to enable healthcare assistants to fulfil their legal obligations and to ultimately protect their patient and themselves. It considers how to maintain confidentiality when dealing with patient information. Disclosure means the giving of information, and requires consent from the individual if it is to be lawful and ethical. If possible, consent should be freely and fully given by the information-giver. The Caldicott Report was commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer when there was concern regarding the increasing use of information technology resulting in the easy dissemination of patient information.
