Document facilitator: Human Resources HRM/CE
Senior document owner: Executive Director People and Capability
Document number: 1.1096
Issue Date 4 November 2019
Review Date 4 November 2022
Type:
Policy
Name:
Confidentiality
Purpose:
To ensure all employees (including casuals), contractors, volunteers and those holding Special
Staff Status (including visiting health professionals and students) at Capital and Coast District
Health Board (CCDHB). clearly understand and comply with their obligations regarding
confidentiality.
Scope: Organisation Wide
This policy applies to the following:
all employees (including casuals) of CCDHB
all visiting health professionals and students undertaking training or education with the
CCDHB (or persons otherwise with Special Staff Status)
all access agreement holders
all volunteers working within any of CCDHBs’ services
All independent contractors and temporary agency employees (including employees of
contractors such as temporary agency employees) working for CCDHB.
Policy content and guidelines
All transactions, records and information pertaining to the business of the CCDHB
shall be held in strict confidence both during and after the period of engagement with
the CCDHB, subject to legislation, regulations and codes governing release or
disclosure of such information.
All patients have a right to be treated with dignity and respect and this includes respecting their
right to confidentiality and privacy.
Any individual who is privy to confidential material has the following obligations:
To hold all employee and business information relevant to the CCDHB and individuals in
strict confidence.
To hold patient/ client information in strict confidence.
If patient/ client information is accessed, it may only be done in the course of carrying
out the duties and responsibilities of the individual’s role at the DHB.
If confidential information is released, it must be in accordance with legislation, legal
framework and our policies. The relevant legislation and legal framework includes:
o Privacy Act 1993 and any relevant code established under the
Privacy Act including but not limited to the Health Information Privacy
Code 1994;
o Official Information Act 1982;
o Heath Act 1956 (sections 22B -22H)
Confidentiality Policy
Page 1 of 2
ID 1.1096
Regard printed versions of this document as out of date – The CapitalDoc
document is the most current version
Document facilitator: Human Resources HRM/CE
Senior document owner: Executive Director People and Capability
Document number: 1.1096
Issue Date 4 November 2019
Review Date 4 November 2022
o Protected Disclosures Act 2000; and
o Orders from a Court, Tribunal or other Statutory Authority.
Disclosure is permitted in limited situations. If an individual considers there are
grounds to release confidential information, then they should refer to the related
policies and/or contact Legal Services or the Privacy Officer.
Breaches of confidentiality
Breaches of confidentiality or the misuse of the confidential information is a breach of
the Code of Conduct and may be considered a breach of an individual’s terms and
conditions of employment or engagement with the CCDHB. If an individual is found to
have breached confidentiality disciplinary action may be taken (up to and including
dismissal).
References
CCDHB policy:
Code of Conduct
Capital and Coast DHB Health Information Privacy – access to health information
Privacy – health information
Official Information Requests
Capital and Coast District Health Board Volunteers Policy
Disclaimer: This document has been developed by Capital & Coast District
Health Board (CCDHB) specifically for its own use. Use of this document and any
reliance on the information contained therein by any third party is at their own risk
and CCDHB assumes no responsibility whatsoever.
Confidentiality Policy
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ID 1.1096
Regard printed versions of this document as out of date – The CapitalDoc
document is the most current version
