Information Disposal and Governance

🗂️ Confidential Information Disposal in Health and Social Care

Handling patient information carries both a legal and ethical responsibility. All personal data must be treated as sensitive and disposed of in line with strict protocols to protect individuals and the organisation.

🚮 Proper Disposal Procedures

• Dispose of data according to type – Different types of records require different disposal methods. Always follow clinical or organisational guidance.
• Return important documents – Items such as DNAR forms must be returned to the hospital or managed per medical protocols.
• Use secure destruction – Never discard sensitive documents in general waste. All confidential paperwork must be securely destroyed.
• Shred paper documents – Even papers containing minimal information must be shredded to eliminate the risk of exposure.

Every piece of information should be handled with care and confidentiality. This responsibility does not fall on one person alone — every employee and contractor must follow data protection rules.

⚠️ Shared Responsibility and Vigilance

The organisation is legally responsible for managing the data it collects, stores, and disposes of. However, compliance is a shared duty. You must remain alert to potential risks and breaches at all times.

If you suspect or identify a potential breach:

• Report it immediately to your line manager
• Take steps to prevent any further exposure
• Cooperate with incident resolution procedures

High standards in data protection are non-negotiable. Whether you are:

• Transporting documents
• Managing electronic health records
• Or having conversations with colleagues

...you must always handle information with integrity, care, and respect.