Protecting the privacy of clients is very important. The following policies and procedures are designed to ensure that personal information about consumers is kept confidential, and only disclosed with the client’s permission.
Privacy and Confidentiality in the Assessment Process
The initial assessment of a client and any follow-up or reviews should take place in the client's home. If this is not possible it should take place in an area which provides privacy and confidentiality, for example an office area to which access is restricted.
The assessment and reviews should be between the staff member and the client and with the client's consent and, if applicable, that of his/her legal guardian or advocate.
The staff member should note any particular privacy requirements of the client e.g. the preference for a male or female carer.
Privacy and Confidentiality of Information
The only information held by HHRCS about a client will be information necessary to assess the need for a service, and to provide the service. Information should be as non-obtrusive and objective as possible, but must be relevant and up-to-date, and must at all times be kept secure.
The client has the right to withhold information for privacy reasons. Information about a client will not be shared with another agency without the permission of the client or his/her legal guardian or advocate. At any time the client may also withdraw any information held by the organization. This request must be put in writing and retained in the client’s file.
The client has the right to read any personal information held by HHRCS. Requests from clients to access files should be referred to the Executive Officer who should ensure that assistance is provided to allow access to the relevant file within two weeks of request. A staff member should be made available to explain any terminology to the client.
Requests from other persons to access a client’s file must be referred to the Executive Officer for decision. These requests must be made in writing and include evidence of the person’s capacity to act as an authorised person (for example, a legal guardian or power of attorney) or written permission from the client for the person to act as an authorised person for the purposes of accessing information on the client’s file.
Information regarding clients will be stored in a filing cabinet that is kept locked when the office is unattended. This information is only accessible to the Executive Officer or Program Coordinator.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLIENTS
Clients of HHRCS have the following rights and responsibilities as laid down in the HACC Statement Guideline on Client Rights and Responsibilities.
Clients Rights
· The client, or with their permission their carer, has access to all information in their own file about themselves, held by
HHRCS.
· Where a client has a legal guardian or advocate appointed to act on their behalf, the rights of the guardian or advocate are to be acknowledged and respected to the extent stipulated in the guardianship or advocacy arrangements.
· The client, and with their permission their carer, should be involved in decisions about their assessment and care plan. They both should be aware of all the options available and any fees to be charged.
· The client should be made aware that services will be provided in a safe manner that respects their dignity and independence and is responsive to their social, cultural and physical needs and the needs of the carer.
· The client’s access to services will be decided only on the basis of need and the capacity of the service to meet that need. Clients have the right to refuse a service and refusal should not prejudice their future access to services.
· The client has a right to complain about the service they are provided without fear of retribution.
· Complaints by the client will be dealt with, by a third party, fairly, promptly and without retribution in a non-discriminatory. The client may be represented by an advocate of their choice.
· The client’s views should be taken into account in the planning and evaluation of the service.
· The client’s rights to privacy and confidentiality will be respected.
· The client has the right to appeal a service provision decision.
· The release of information to other agencies will only occur with consent of client, advocate or legal guardian. This consent can be withdrawn at any time.
Client Responsibilities
· The client should inform HHRCS if he/she will be unavailable when a staff member is due to visit.
· The client should respect the rights of other clients and HHRCS staff.
· The client must accept responsibility for the results of any decisions the client makes.
· The client should co-operate with HHRCS representatives in the provision of their service.
|
|
