Client record cards

[Pompal 09.]

Hello,

I stay in touch with my itec tutor and phone her with anything I am unsure of, When I spoke with her thismorning she happened to mention a new law that may be coming in regarding client record cards, something about the client having to keep the record card in her/he's possession due to a new confidentiality law, and not allowing the therapist to have "private" information about the client. This all seems rather strange to me, does it mean you take down the clients information but leave the clients to look after the card?

Has anyone heard of this new law?-it seems rather strange and unprofessional to me.

Thanks, Sunkiss

 

[Silent Pain]

The law is quite strict about client records now, so I'm not sure what she means.

However, I've been looking a buy a business and I've been quite shocked at the lack of security of client records.

There are some members of HP that are on the boards of some of the PA's so they should be able to answer this question.

Myarka.

 

[PietreveweigE]

I haven't heard of it Sunkiss-from a common sense perspective it would be unworkable. Extrapolate that approach to all therapists, GPs, physios, osteos etc. etc. The client is entitled to see their record but the practitioner has responsibility for its safekeeping and confidentiality.

 

[kokptulb]

I did think it was a strange, the new law hasn't been passed yet but surely this will effect lots of other health professionals as well as therapists and just be completely unpractical.

 

[Joe l]

Next time you are chatting with her, perhaps you could ask where we could all find out more information about this - or who or what organisation is putting this new law in to action. Will it have to go through the DOH? Like Sportsmassage says - it's going to be unworkable.

 

[cliree]

Never heard anything like it, nor have any of our practitioners.

Imo, we are responsible for the keeping of our clients records, the same way as the medical profession do.

I can see little relevance in a record that the client keeps...if they want to do that I would give them a photocopy of what I have recorded.

And yes, Myarka.....I have see some really poor/downright apalling record keeping by therapists in my time and I hate to say that some of the worst are in the beauty therapy industry (have also seen some bad "holistic" therapists too). I know this will evoke a rebuff and, I apologise in advance, but just stating what I see.

I have recently seen one beautician who has never even as much asked for any more than a first name, nothing else.. No address, contact number, no consultation etc.

If not bad enough from a keeping records point of view....it is cr*p from even a marketing perspective.

In nearly four years I have every clients details from personal to treatment and everything in between. All under lock and key.

Patchouli

 

[Tacobender]

You are totally right.

I've often thought about starting a thread on governance in the Business & Marketing forum but I don't think it would attract many contributors?

Myarka.

 

[Keegzz]

Don't think this is correct guys, I think your tutor has it the wrong way round.

 

[Scotty]

I have heard so many rumours over the years, I don't believe anything until i see it. And tutors are sometimes the worse scaremongerers of all!!!! If I believed anything that tutors have told me over the years, I would think about jumping off the cliff and end it all now. Tutors are usually busy people who never have the time to read properly. I know, am one, lol ;-)

 

[Mona Lisa]

I didn't want to start asking her too many questions as she is a very busy lady. When I did the 3 day course we were all given a few client record cards which are very thorough, filling these out takes about 10 minutes, I have just photocopied these and use them with the family and friends I already treat.

She is an itec tutor so I figured she must know what she's talking about, she DID say the new law hasn't been passed yet though.
I am going to email her and ask her for more info.

Thanks.

 

[OMGGIRL]

Hi Sunkiss,
the law as it stands for regulated (statutory) health care professionals is that they HAVE to keep records. There has been many people struck off for non compliance of this.

The same does not apply to unregulated or voluntary regulated healthcare professionals.

We have the data protection act that already covers clients records. I really cant see why a client would have to keep their own record cards, it just doesnt make sense.

 

[Bella310]

I have a vague recollection some months ago there was a piece in the news about some figure suggesting that records should follow the patient. But I think it was just a discussion, I've just a search of the BBC website but nothing came up.

Myarka.

 

[Stephen]

im sure you would get some contributors