A new booklet has been developed to help patients, carers and
professionals deal with some of the complex issues around
confidentiality and information sharing in mental health.
The new leaflet, Carers and Confidentiality in Mental Health,
is part of the Partners in Care campaign.
Confidentiality can be a highly controversial issue. Carers
want and need information about the person they are caring for,
whereas professionals feel bound by code of conduct on
confidentiality.
It is often a difficult and complex task to decide what
information can, or should, be shared between patients, carers and
professionals. The sensitive nature of mental health problems means
that there can be particular difficulties when it comes to
confidentiality and the sharing of information.
'Carers will differ in the quality of information they want,
when they want it and from which member of the mental health team
they receive it,' said Jill Siddle, a carer from Liverpool and
member of the team that produced the leaflet.
"The well-being of carers can be greatly improved if they are
encouraged to feel part of a supportive team, with ready access to
up-to-date information.
Without this, carers may feel unable to continue giving the
practical and emotional support that is so important to the
patient."
The new leaflet asks, and answers, key questions surrounding
confidentiality:
- Why is it important that appropriate information is shared with
carers?
- What are the particular problems in information-sharing in
mental health?
- What are the barriers to information-sharing?
Examples of good practice to overcome barriers are given, and
the leaflet includes a good practice checklist for
professionals.
Carers and Confidentiality in Mental Health has been produced
for Partners in Care, a year-long joint campaign between the Royal
College of Psychiatrists and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
(2004)
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127