Fair processing notice for supporting vulnerable people in an emergency
Supporting Vulnerable People in an Emergency - Privacy Notice
In an emergency that could affect you in your place of residence, (such as a fire, flood or even a prolonged utility loss), responding organisations across South West London work together to identify people who are known to services who may be adversely impacted during such an event. We collect data about such people so that appropriate help and support can reach those in need, quickly.
The legal basis for processing for this basis is:
“processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller by the Civil Contingencies Act (2004)” which requires all Category 1 responders, (which Epsom & St Helier University Hospital Trust (ESTH), is one), to share information and cooperate with other emergency responders to ensure a coordinated response to an emergency, and to care for those impacted.
Also under the UK GDPR
Article 6(1)(c) the processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject
And
Article 9(2)(g) processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest, on the basis of Union or Member State law which shall be proportionate to the aim pursued, respect the essence of the right to data protection and provide for suitable and specific measures to safeguard the fundamental rights and the interests of the data subject.
How are we doing this?
Sutton Health Care has defined a list of categories that might make someone vulnerable in an emergency. These are accessible by Sutton Health Care Teams who will utilise lists to prioritise contacting those who might be affected so that appropriate support can be provided by themselves or partner organisations where appropriate. These include:
| Admission to virtual ward | Virtual Ward |
| Lives alone | Social |
| Mental health disorder | Mental |
| Learning difficulties | Learning |
| Home oxygen supply started | Breathing |
| Visual impairment | Vision |
| Dependent patient | Social |
| Frailty | Frailty |
| Dementia | Memory |
| Hearing impairment | Hearing |
Only the minimum amount of information about each person is shared.
What does this mean for you?
- We only share personal information where it is in the best interests of the individual or where we are under a legal obligation to do so
- Your information will continue to remain private and secure and will only be accessed if there's a possibility that your welfare may be compromised, due to an emergency so that appropriate help and support can be provided.
- Working in this way will enable emergency staff to locate potentially known vulnerable people sooner.
- It will also allow care and support to be tailored accordingly in times of need.
For details about the emergency planning process please suttonhealthandcare.nhs.uk
The Trusts privacy notice can be found epsom-sthelier.nhs.net
If you would like to know more about this initiative, then please contact Sutton Health and Care.