Information your council keeps about you
If you request support from your council then they will need to keep certain information about you on their records.
They do this for a number of reasons:-
- To make decisions with you about what support you need
- To make sure your support is safe and effective
- To work effectively with others who also provide you with support on their behalf
- To help investigate any worries or complaints you have about your care
- To keep track of spending on care services
- To check the quality of care
- To help with research and planning of new services.
The type of information which they might keep includes:-
- Details of your medical history
- Details of what you can do for yourself, and what you may need help with
- Detaiis of where you live
- Details of family and friends, particularly if they give any support to you
- Details about your money, and of any financial problems you may have
- Details of anyone in your life who may pose a threat to you
But you have rights in relation to all this information. For example:-
- You can decide whom the council is allowed to contact to get extra information
- You can ask to see what information the council keeps about you
Your council has produced a leaflet called 'Your Records, Your Rights' telling you more about the information which they may keep about you:-
Information that the Health Service may keep about you
North-West London Healthcare Trust's 'Sharing your information to improve care' leaflet tells you about the information they keep about you, and why: -
- Westminster
- Kensington and Chelsea
- An 'easy-read' guide on the information health care staff may keep on you, and how and why they may share it with other health and social care colleagues.