Who We Are
Centred is a progressive Charity Limited by Guarantee, founded in 1987, and has since maintained a position at the leading edge of mental health recovery.
We work with people over the age of 16 who are experiencing mental ill-health and in some cases additional issues that impact on their ability to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. We work within the recovery ethos, which means supporting people to live productive lives even if symptoms persist.
We have a 23 bed Recovery Centre in Inverness in which we provide support to service users in 12 self- contained apartments and 11 single rooms under a contract with the NHS Highland Health and Social Care Partnership. The Recovery Centre is the only facility this kind in Scotland. In the Community, we provide Housing Support and Care at Home services in the Inverness, Easter Ross, Lochaber and Caithness areas.
Between 2013 and 2014, we developed three new 24/7 supported accommodation services in Inverness.
Mission
Centred exists to improve the quality of life of people with mental health issues and complex needs by promoting Independence, Inclusion & Recovery.
Aims
We aim to:
- Be and remain at the forefront of mental health recovery in the Highlands.
- Aid recovery via approaches that promote personal choice and control.
- Ensure that people experiencing mental ill health have opportunities to achieve individual goals and participation in society.
- Promote and encourage mental well-being by facilitating access to advice, support and mainstream opportunities in employment, education, arts, sports and leisure.
- Consolidate our services, invest in staff and build on our expertise.
What Is A Privacy Notice?
A Privacy Notice is a statement by Centred to service users, visitors, carers, the public and staff that describes how we collect, use, retain and disclose personal information which we hold. It is sometimes also referred to as a Privacy Statement, Fair Processing Statement or Privacy Policy. This privacy notice is part of our commitment to ensure that we process your personal information/data fairly and lawfully.
Why Issue A Privacy Notice?
Centred recognises the importance of protecting personal and confidential information in all that we do and takes care to meet its legal and regulatory duties. This notice is one of the ways in hich we can demonstrate our commitment to our values and being transparent and open, and commitment to our values of Respecting Diversity, Acting with Integrity, Demonstrating Compassion, Striving for Excellence and Listening and Supporting Others. This notice also explains what rights you have to control how we use your information.
What Are We Governed By?
The key pieces of legislation/guidance we are governed by are:
- Data Protection Act 2018
- Human Rights Act 1998 (Article 8)
- Access to Health Records Act 1990
- Freedom of Information(Scotland) Act 2002
- Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2008,
- Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011
- Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988
- The Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015
- The Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004
- Computer Misuse Act 1990
- The Common Law Duty of Confidentiality
- General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
Who Are We Governed By?
We are governed by a Board of Trustees. Our healthcare professionals and registered support staff are also regulated and governed by professional bodies.
Why And How We Collect Information
We may ask for or hold personal confidential information about you which will be used to support delivery of appropriate care and treatment. This is to support the provision of high quality care. These records may include:
- Basic details, such as name, address, date of birth, next of kin.
- Contact we have had, such as appointments and home visits.
- Details and records of treatment and care, including notes and reports about your health
- Information from people who care for you and know you well, such as health professionals and relatives.
It may also include personal sensitive information such as sexuality, race, your religion or beliefs, and whether you have a disability, allergies or health conditions. It is important for us to have a complete picture, as this information assists staff involved in your care to deliver and provide improved care, deliver appropriate treatment and support plans, to meet your needs.
Information is collected in a number of ways, via your support worker, referral details from your GP, social worker or directly given by you.
How We Use Information
- To help inform decisions that we make about your care.
- To ensure that your treatment is safe and effective.
- To work effectively with other organisations who may be involved in your care.
- To ensure our services can meet future needs.
- To review care provided to ensure it is of the highest standard possible.
- To train healthcare professionals.
- To prepare statistics on NHS and Care Commission performance.
- To monitor how we spend our income.
How Information Is Retained And Kept Safe?
All Service Users’ records are retained by Centred for the lifetime of the Service User or for a period of 3 years after death in line with the records management timescales that the Care Inspectorate adheres to. Information is retained in secure electronic and paper records and access is restricted to only those who need to know. It is important that information is kept safe and secure, to protect your confidentiality. There are a number of ways in which your privacy is shielded; by removing your identifying information, using an independent review process, adhering to strict contractual conditions and ensuring strict sharing or processing agreements are in place.
The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) regulates the processing of personal information. Strict principles govern our use of information and our duty to ensure it is kept safe and secure.
Technology allows us to protect information in a number of ways, in the main by restricting access. Our guiding principle is that we are holding your information in strict confidence.
How Do We Keep Information Confidential?
Everyone working for the charity is subject to the Common Law Duty of Confidentiality and the GDPR. Information provided in confidence will only be used for the purposes to which you consent to, unless there are other circumstances covered by the law.
Under Centred Confidentiality Code of Conduct, all staff are required to protect information, inform you of how your information will be used and allow you to decide if and how your information can be shared. This will be noted in your records. All Centred’s staff are required to undertake training in data protection, confidentiality, IT/cyber security.
Who Will The Information Be Shared With?
To provide best care possible, sometimes we will need to share information about you with others. We may share your information with a range of Health and Social Care organisations and regulatory bodies. You may be contacted by any one of these organisations for a specific reason; they will have a duty to tell you why they have contacted you. Information sharing is governed by specific rules and law.
Sharing With Non-NHS Organisations For Your Benefit
We may also need to share information from your records with non-NHS organisations, from whom you are also receiving care, such as local authority social services or private healthcare organisations. However, we will not disclose any health information to third parties without your explicit consent, unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as when the health or safety of others is at risk or where the law requires the disclosure of information. We may also be asked to share basic information about you, such as your name and parts of your address, which does not include sensitive information from your health records. Generally, we would only do this to assist them to carry out their statutory duties (such as usages of healthcare services, public health or national audits). In these circumstances, where it is not practical to obtain your explicit consent, we are informing you through this notice, which is referred to as a Privacy Notice, under the Data Protection Act.
Where patient information is shared with other non-NHS organisations, an information sharing agreement is drawn up to ensure information is shared in a way that complies with relevant legislation. Non-NHS organisations may include, but are not restricted to: social services, education services, local authorities, the police, voluntary sector providers and private sector providers.
Your right to withdraw consent for us to share your personal information
You have the right to refuse/withdraw consent to information sharing at any time. We will fully explain the possible consequences to you, which could include delays in you receiving care.
Contacting Us About Your Information
A Chief Executive Officer(CEO) is responsible for protecting the confidentiality of your information and enabling appropriate sharing. You can contact the CEO by using the Contact Us section of our website (www.centred.org.uk). If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information we hold on you, the use of your information or would like to discuss further, please contact the Chief Executive, Centred, 59 Tomnahurich Street, Inverness IV3 5DT tel (01463) 236507.
Can I Access My Information?
Under the GDPR a person may request access to information (with some exemptions) that is held about them by an organisation. For more information on how to access the information we hold about you please contact Centred on (01463) 236507.
Contacting Us If You Have A Complaint Or Concern
We try to meet the highest standards when collecting and using personal information. We encourage people to bring concerns to our attention and we take any complaints we receive very seriously. You can submit a complaint through our web site, or you can write to: Centred, 59 Tomnahurich Street, Inverness IV3 5DT
If you remain dissatisfied with our decision following your complaint, you may wish to contact: Information Commissioner’s Office Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF. Their web site is at www.ico.gov.uk The Information Commissioner will not normally consider an appeal until you have exhausted your rights of redress and complaint to Centred.