Obligation of confidentiality

Everyone who works, practices, or is commissioned by Uppsala County Council is bound by an obligation of confidentiality. This does not only apply to healthcare personnel, but also to the administrative staff, interpreters, local care providers, technicians, craftsmen, students etc.

The confidentiality obligation means that personnel may not tell anyone that you have sought treatment, the reason for the treatment, or what you said, unless you have given prior consent.
Only those who have a care relationship with you may discuss your health and your personal circumstances.

The confidentiality obligation regulation is found in the Secrecy Act, and is there to protect your personal integrity. The confidentiality obligation applies to all verbal and written patient information, regardless of whether it is on paper, on a computer, or recorded in some other way. Your records are one example of a document that may not be made public. Only healthcare staff, who need to know the contents in order to provide you with the best possible care, may read your records.

The confidentiality obligation is lifelong, and continues to apply even after an employee no longer works for the county council. A breach of the confidentiality obligation can lead to fines or prison.