Confidential waste data breaches at care homes are very possible as they have a great deal of sensitive information about residents, patients, and employees which must be protected.

Whether it is held in paper files or on computers, it’s vital this information is dealt with properly when it comes to the end of its usefulness.

Here are five key areas where confidential information may be at risk:

1. Patient/resident records – There are many confidential details on patient records. Many will include medical details, next of kin addresses and telephone numbers, and bank details. These records must be held in a secure, confidential environment.
2. Letters to relatives of patients – No care home owner wants correspondence such as this to end up in the wrong hands. Private matters are often discussed and financial matters may be mentioned.
3. Reports to health boards and social services – While reports written for these organisations are send to them, many care homes keep a copy in case there’s a need for a back-up. This might detail shift patterns, give staff information, or information about patients.
4. Staff records and rotas – Imagine if this information got into the hands of criminals such as fraudsters. You need to feel your staff movements are confidential to your business, rather than something which could be exploited by someone outside to gain entry, steal items, or steal information about patients and employees.
5. Supplier contracts – You don’t want information about your suppliers to fall into the wrong hands. Contracts could include names, email and telephone numbers, and bank details.

How will GDPR affect care homes?

Like other organisations and businesses, care homes must be ready for GDPR (the General Data Protection Regulation) in May 2018.

New rules about who is a data controller and data processer will come into force, and so will the much larger financial penalties organisations can face for serious breaches.

That could be as much as 4% of a business’ worldwide turnover, or up to 20 million Euros, whichever is the larger amount.

Find out more about GDPR here.

It’s clear that proven systems for handling and destroying confidential waste will become hugely important.

Why choose a confidential waste management company?

Under GDPR rules, being able to prove you have a system will be vital – particularly if you have a breach of any sort.

Using a confidential waste management company, such as Taclus Confidential, which will issue you with certificates of destruction will help you prove you’ve done everything you can to comply with the rules.

It will also free up the time of your staff to concentrate on your core business.

Why you should choose Taclus Confidential – a South Wales secure shredding company

We deal with confidential paper waste and hard drive destruction at affordable prices.

Taclus Confidential holds the accreditations for ISO 9001:2015 for quality management and ISO14001:2015 for environmental management, and has been certified by independent auditors IQS for both.

Taclus has also been selected as the confidential waste management partner for Keep Wales Tidy.

Are you looking for an affordable and secure shredding service in South Wales? If you need advice on dealing with the secure destruction of confidential waste, call our friendly and efficient team on 02920 676 714, or email [email protected].