Why is confidentiality an important issue? Why is it also a difficult issue?

Confidentiality is an important issue because without it, professionals would find it difficult to build relationships with their clients. Trust in a carer/client relationship is important, as a client would not want to share personal information with someone if they felt it was not confidential and Fulford (2001) agrees that confidentiality is a function of relationships. This could be why new employees in the caring profession find it difficult to relate to their clients until …

…accessed on 13th August 2004) Data Protection Act (1998) Policy and Guidance, available from http://www.dh.gov.uk/policyandguidance (accessed on13th August 2004.) Fulford, B. University of Warwick, (2001) cited in Cordess, C. (2001) Confidentially and Mental Health, London. K100 Course Team (1998) K100 Understanding Health and Social Care, Unit 23, Confidentiality: Managing Personal Information, Milton Keynes, The Open University The Department of Health, Confidentiality: Protecting and Providing Information, available from http://www.gmc-uk.org/standards (accessed on 13th August 2004)