Frequently Asked Questions ...

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Havering Drug Treatment Services. If you cannot find an answer to your question on this website, please use the Contact Us page to get in touch with your query.

INFORMATION SHARING FAQs

1. Why does the information need to be collected electronically?
Your information is very secure when held electronically and is more readily available to your key worker. It also means that information can be easily analysed, so that we can understand if the treatment we offer you is working and whether we need to make treatment more readily available for specific groups, for example ethnic minority groups or women.

2. What happens to the information entered into a system?
Your information will be used to plan an appropriate care package for you, and to make sure that plan is suitable for your changing needs. Some information will also be available to the Drug and Alcohol Action Team so they can see how the treatment system is working and undertake research. Research papers will never show your name.

3. Are the systems secure?
Yes. Steps are taken to make sure that the information we hold about you is secure. All workers are signed up to agency confidentiality policies. All computers are protected to protect databases from unauthorised access.

4. Will my information be shared?
Yes, with your consent. You will be asked to sign a form to show that you have agreed to share your information within the treatment system.

5. Why does my information need to be shared?
By sharing information we can make sure that the treatment system works in a joined-up way to meet your needs. If you need to move between treatment providers or receive treatment from more than one treatment provider, your information will follow you meaning you don’t have to fill out the same forms several times. It also means that your new treatment provider can see your case notes quickly and easily, and make sure the right treatment can be started quickly.

6. Can my data ever be shared without my permission?
In certain circumstances your information can be shared without your consent. For example, it can be shared with other professional agencies if there are concerns about children’s safety, or if there is a risk of harm to staff in the agencies, harm to yourself, or harm to the public.

7. Will my personal information be available to the Police, Social Services or other organisations outside of the treatment system?
No. Unless a situation arises like that in question 6, your personal information will only be shared with treatment providers.

8. Will my family and friends have access to my information?
No. Just as with your paper files, you have to give your permission for your family or friends to see any information about you.

9. What about the administrative staff entering the data onto the system?
All staff, including administrative staff, are bound by confidentiality – your key worker will be able to tell you more about this. Your information is confidential to the agency.

10. Will my key worker be able to look at my information at home?
No. Your key worker will only be able to see your information in a secure work environment, and with good reason to see it.

11. Who owns the information held about me?
You own the information we hold about you. This is the case whether the information is held on paper or electronically.

12. Will I be able to see all records held on me?
Yes. All the data held about you on paper and in the database belongs to you. You are entitled under the Data Protection Act 1998 to see any data held about you. You must write to us asking to see your details, and we must respond within 40 days.

13. Can I ever be refused access to my records?
You can only be refused access to your records if it would mean that information about someone else could be revealed (in which case that person must give permission for us to release the information) or if it would not be in your best interests for you to see the information.

14. Will I be able to withdraw permission for people to see my data?
Yes. You are entitled to withdraw permission for your information to be shared at any time. You will need to inform the relevant agency in writing.

15. What happens if I don’t want to share my information?
You have the right not to share your information. You can indicate this when you are speaking to your key worker.

16. How long will my information be kept?
By law, we must usually keep your information for eight years after your treatment has finished. Information may be kept for longer if you are a young person, a mentally disordered person as defined under the Mental Health Act 1983, or if you are involved in any kind of legal action.