Confidentiality

Confidentiality is particularly important to young people. Services must offer and advertise the fact that information will only be shared in cases where it is necessary for safeguarding.

Young people worry about the confidentiality of sexual health services and this can be one of the main reasons they fail to seek professional advice and may not disclose sexual activity or abuse. The confidentiality that is owed to a person less than 16 years of age is equal to that of an older person. Professionals working with young people must protect their right to confidentiality in all but the most exceptional cases. If it is felt that is in the young person’s best interests to share information then every effort should be made first to gain the consent of the person concerned however, confidentiality does not prevent information sharing where there is risk of significant harm.

The decision to share information depends on an assessment of current or potential harm, and not on the person’s actual age. Health professionals can only disclose information if it is in the child’s best interest. They must also consider what information requires to be shared within their own and/ or with other agencies to ensure that a pattern of behaviour or a disclosure of potential risk is not being missed. Health professionals are required to share as much information as is necessary to protect a child.

The health care worker must be prepared to justify his/her decision to share information on the patient, to his/her colleagues and to their relevant professional association. Reasons for sharing information should be documented clearly.