Confidentiality & Record Keeping
Confidentiality
Everything said within all sessions will be treated in strictest confidence except for:
a) The purposes of supervision, where your case detail, as it relates to the psychologist's practice, may be discussed with another practitioner. In such event your anonymity will be maintained.
b) The perception of risk of harm either to yourself or to others.
c) Any perceived threat or harassment by you toward the psychologist. If such circumstances arise, confidentiality will no longer hold and all reasonable measures under the Law will be pursued to protect the psychologist.
d) The necessity for consultation with other health care professionals (e.g., your GP).
In the unusual case of either b), c) or d) you would be advised before the event.
e) When a report has been specifically commissioned by the Courts or other statutory services. This would always be with your knowledge.
If we meet in the street you would not normally be acknowledged first. This is to save you any potential discomfort or the need for explanation to others.
Record Keeping
The sessions may be either tape-recorded, or notes will be taken. This is to assist recall, review, and therapeutic formulation. Your records will be kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998) and you have a right to see what has been written about you.
There is a legal requirement to keep records for a minimum of 8 years from when our work finishes [20 years for “mentally disordered persons within the meaning on the mental Health Act (1983)]. Records of children will be retained until that person is 26 years old.
From 25th May 2018, GDPR legislation [EU General Data Protection Regulation] requires that you have certain rights. Consent will be clearer, with greater control of your personal data, including direct control over the usage, retention and movement of this personal data. This includes:
- the right to be informed;
- the right of access;
- the right to rectification;
- the right to erasure – also known as the right to be forgotten;
- the right to restrict processing;
- the right to data portability;
- the right to object;
- the right not to be subject to automated decision-making including profiling.
The right to data portability only applies: to personal data an individual has provided to a controller; where the processing is based on the individual’s consent or for the performance of a contract; and when processing is carried out by automated means.
Breach Notifications – if we have a breach of personal data, we will have 72 hours (from the point of detection) in which to notify the regulator and potentially the affected subject.
Contact: therapy@haworthgallagher.plus.com