Confidentiality

General guidance

The NMC Code for Nurses and Midwives (includes guidance regarding confidentiality and disclosing your NMC PIN)

Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) (England) - search for 'confidentiality'

Department of Health – ‘Confidentiality: NHS Code of Practice’

Northern Ireland - Department of Health guidance on confidentiality

Patients who lack capacity

The health care professional should ensure that an appropriate assessment is made under the:

Mental Capacity Act 2005 (England and Wales), following the Mental Capacity Act code of practice and Making decisions: a guide for people who work in health and social care
Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 (Scotland); see the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland's guidance The Adults with Incapacity Act in general hospitals and care homes, or
Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016.

Confidentiality and social media

Please see the NMC's social media guidance.

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Professional practice

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Bullying, harassment and stress

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Page last updated - 30/05/2022

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