Code of Practice on Protecting the Confidentiality of Service User Information

This Code of Practice is principally concerned with identifiable service user information. 

Uses or disclosures of such information are only justified where:

• the service user has given his or her consent
• there is a statutory requirement to use or disclose the information
• the balance of public and private interests favours disclosure.  In such situations there must be a substantial public interest favouring disclosure which outweighs both the private interests of the individual and the public interest in safeguarding confidentiality