Privacy Policy

5.1 Pre-assessment

• The needs of the Residents surrounding privacy will always be considered during the pre-assessment planning stage to ensure that Hilldales Residential Care Home Ltd can effectively meet the person's needs

• The assessment should include information about the Residents that can be shared and with whom it can be shared

• Preferred Residents wishes must be communicated to other relevant staff at Hilldales Residential Care Home Ltd

• Where possible, the pre-assessment process must be completed in a private area where the Residents can feel able to discuss areas of their care needs freely

5.2 Residents Rights

• Residents choices about their privacy will be respected at all times and all information relating to the Residents will be treated in a confidential manner

• Hilldales Residential Care Home Ltd recognises the right of Residentss to be left alone, undisturbed and free from intrusion and public attention. The Residents also has a right to privacy in both their personal affairs and in relation to their belongings

5.3 Staff Expectation, Behaviour and Professionalism

• Staff will follow professional codes of conduct as well as the policies and procedures at Hilldales Residential Care Home Ltd when considering privacy for Residentss

• Staff will only discuss Residentss in the work environment if it is for the purpose of assessment, management and evaluation of care

• Staff will not discuss any aspect of the Residents's care outside of the work environment

5.4 Records Management

• Records will be designed, used and stored in a manner which assures privacy

• Records will be made available to the Residents’s principal Care Worker and family according to the wishes of the Residents

• Staff can refer to the Record Keeping Policy and Procedure for further information and guidance

• All personal information will be recorded, stored and disposed of in line with data protection laws

5.5 Promoting a Private Environment

• The Residents's personal room will have a lock fitted which is appropriate to their needs, and the Residents will be provided with a key unless a documented risk assessment indicates that this is contraindicated. Decisions in this respect will be recorded in the Residents’s Care Plan and signed as agreed by the Residents or their advocate. Where applicable, best interest decisions will be made following the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and related code

• All Residentss will have access to a locked cabinet in their room, or to a locked cash box

• Residentss will always be offered privacy for personal discussions

• Temporary, removable signage will be considered as a measure of good practice, to advise people if personal care is being delivered in a Residents's room

5.6 Personal Care and Privacy

• Particular attention will be given to preserving privacy in the use of bathrooms, toilets and when supporting any aspect of personal care. At the same time, health and safety and personal risk management will be considered and discussed

• Screening and curtains will be used in shared rooms and public areas in order to ensure privacy during personal care and moving and handling

• Any personal and sensitive items that may be deemed as necessary care equipment (such as continence aids, catheters, dressings) must be kept out of public view at all times to ensure that privacy is maintained

• Where clothing is removed to assist the Residents with personal care, modesty draping should always be used to respect the individual's privacy and dignity

• Staff will always knock on Residentss' doors and await a response before entering the room

• Staff should be sensitive to matters of age, disability, marriage and civil partnership, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief and sex when undertaking personal care tasks. They should ensure that these protected characteristics are fully understood and that any personal wishes related to them are fully respected

5.7 Photography and Filming

• Staff can refer to the policies available with regard to privacy and photography, filming and the use of CCTV at Hilldales Residential Care Home Ltd and to relevant CQC guidance.

5.8 Breach in Privacy

• Any breach of the privacy of a Residents will be considered a serious event. The incident will be fully investigated in accordance with local procedures. Disciplinary action will be taken where the incident is considered to have been caused with intent

• Breaches of privacy of a serious nature will be referred to the local Safeguarding Board and a regulatory notification will be completed by Mr Leigh-Paul Porter or a delegated other who has the relevant skills, knowledge and experience

• Any building or equipment fault which reduces the privacy of any Residents must be reported immediately to a senior member of staff

• Breaches of privacy will be recorded, investigated and reported. Where lessons are learned, changes are introduced to mitigate and eliminate the risk of reoccurrence

• Where a Residents has breached the privacy of another Residents, Mr Leigh-Paul Porter will ensure appropriate action is taken following a review of the circumstances of the incident

• Safeguarding policies and procedures will be followed where there are safeguarding concerns relating to privacy incidents

5.9 Training and Education

• Privacy forms part of the Care Certificate for health care support workers. New staff who have not already completed this will be expected to achieve this unit

• Staff will be expected to review their professional code of conduct and be aware of what this means in practice

• Privacy will form part of the supervision process agenda at Hilldales Residential Care Home Ltd as well as staff and Residents meetings in order to review practice, seek feedback and determine quality assurance

5.10 Capacity and Privacy

• The same rights of privacy apply to individuals who are assessed as lacking capacity. Therefore, staff must do the following:

• Establish any previously expressed views or wishes of the individual regarding privacy from family and others

• Residents behaviours must be observed to identify what the preferences may be for that individual wishing to have privacy

• Continue to follow the core principles and practices as detailed within this policy, if deemed to be in the best interests of the Residents to do so (in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act) when weighing up privacy and refer to associated policies and procedures for further guidance