Handling Information - GDPR & Data Protection
Level:
CPD
Duration:
3 hrs
Course code:
TD/2025/09041
Max group:
12
Learn GDPR compliance and secure data handling to protect patient information
Course Summary
Handling Information - GDPR & Data Protection
This course provides healthcare professionals with essential knowledge of GDPR and data protection principles to ensure the secure handling of patient information. Participants will learn about legal and ethical responsibilities, best practices for data security, and how to balance confidentiality with effective care delivery. The course covers practical scenarios to help attendees understand how to comply with regulations, protect sensitive information, and maintain trust with patients and colleagues. Key Learning Objectives: Understand GDPR and Data Protection Basics: Learn the core principles of GDPR and its application in healthcare. Understand the importance of data protection in safeguarding patient rights. Legal and Ethical Responsibilities: Recognise legal obligations regarding data collection, storage, and sharing. Balance patient confidentiality with the duty of care and safeguarding requirements. Handle Patient Information Securely: Learn best practices for storing, accessing, and sharing patient data. Understand the role of encryption, passwords, and secure systems in data protection. Recognise and Respond to Data Breaches: Identify potential risks and breaches in data security. Understand the steps to report and mitigate breaches effectively. Confidentiality in Practice: Navigate scenarios where confidentiality may need to be breached legally or ethically. Communicate sensitively with patients about their data rights. Role-Specific Applications of GDPR: Tailor GDPR principles to roles within healthcare, such as clinicians, administrators, and IT staff. Collaborate effectively across teams to ensure compliance. Promote Awareness and Best Practices: Educate colleagues on the importance of GDPR and data protection. Advocate for a culture of security and accountability in healthcare settings. Practical Application and Case Studies: Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios involving patient data. Analyse case studies to understand challenges and solutions in GDPR compliance. By completing this course, participants will gain the knowledge and confidence to handle information securely, comply with GDPR, and uphold the highest standards of patient confidentiality and trust in healthcare settings.
Course Contents
Introduction to GDPR and Data Protection
Overview of GDPR and its importance in healthcare
Key terms: Personal data, sensitive data, and data subject rights
The role of GDPR in protecting patient privacy and confidentiality
Legal Framework and Responsibilities
The legal foundations of GDPR in healthcare settings
Understanding the Data Protection Act 2018 and its relationship with GDPR Rights of data subjects (patients) under GDPR: access, correction, erasure, and consent
Key Principles of Data Protection
Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency in data processing
Purpose limitation: collecting data for specified, legitimate purposes
Data minimisation: ensuring only necessary data is collected and retained Accuracy, storage limitation, and integrity of personal data
Collecting, Storing, and Sharing Patient
Data Best practices for securely collecting patient data
Secure storage options for personal and sensitive patient information
Guidelines for sharing data within healthcare teams and third parties
Consent and Patient Rights
Understanding patient consent and its importance in healthcare data handling
Explaining patients' rights to access and control their data
How to ensure informed consent for data processing and sharing
Data Security Measures Physical, technical, and organisational security measures to protect data
Safe methods for accessing, storing, and transmitting patient information
Using encryption, passwords, and secure systems for data protection
Data Breaches and Incident Response
Recognising potential data breaches and risks to patient data
Immediate steps to take when a breach occurs (e.g., reporting, investigation, containment)
Regulatory requirements for reporting breaches to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
When and why to conduct a Data Protection Impact
Assessment How to assess risks to patient data processing activities
Steps for mitigating risks identified in a DPIA
Employee and Organisation
Responsibilities Role of healthcare professionals in safeguarding patient data
Responsibilities of data processors and controllers within a healthcare organisation
Data protection training and raising awareness among healthcare teams
Compliance Monitoring and Audits Internal audits and monitoring mechanisms to ensure GDPR compliance
Regular reviews of data processing practices
Creating a culture of data protection within healthcare organisations
Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios Analysis of GDPR-related case studies in healthcare
Applying GDPR principles to real-life situations and challenges
Group discussions on managing data security and privacy in complex scenarios
Assessment
The instructor conducts a single written assessments at the end of the course. Upon successful completion, learners will receive a three-year Level 3 Award in Principles of Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Young People or Vulnerable Adults (Level 6 in Scotland). No external assessors are required for this qualification.
Duration
The course requires a minimum of 7 hours, distributed over the day. While it is ideal to complete the course in one day, we can adjust the schedule to suit your specific needs, as long as the course is completed within 3 weeks of starting and each training session lasts at least two hours.
Certification Validity
This qualification has no formal expiry, however regular CPD and updates are recommended.
Further Information - Course Numbers
A maximum of 12 students can be accommodated on this course and all candidates must be a minimum of 18 years of age to qualify.
Assessment method: Activities, test paper.
Pre-requisite: None
Suggested progression:
recommended refresher training and CPD;