Personal information and professional secrecy

It is important that all personal information Region Värmalnd keeps is protected, safe and correct. This is regulated through law. The patient’s personal information is confidential and only the staff working with the patient is allowed to read the patient’s medical record.

Personal information

Region Värmland handles information that could identify a real person, such as name, e-mail address or a photo. Personal information is recorded for various reasons. For example, to fulfill legal requirements, our mission or just to be able to answer your questions.

By law, some situations require personal consent. In these situations we always state what the consent is for. Be sure to read the statement through before deciding.

As a rule, we never share personal information. Still, you should be aware that there are situations where we are required to do so because of laws, regulations or to protect our or third party rights. For example we have an obligation to share documents under the principle of public access to official records.

We keep a record of your personal information for as long as needed to fulfill a stated purpose, but no longer than that. For example, when an agreement is expired or a matter concluded, we archive or delete the associated information according to relevant laws and our own protocols.

You have the right to

• know which personal information we keep about you.
• know how we use your personal information.
• get a copy of the personal information that we keep.
• have information corrected or added to.
• in some cases have your personal information erased.

The Personuppgiftsombud

There is a person working for the County Council with the title Personuppgiftsombud whose main task is to control that the County Council deals with personal information in a safe way. If you believe that the information we have of you is not correct, the Personuppgiftsombud can help out.

Everyone has the right to get an excerpt of their own information details once a year, free of charge.

It is the the Regional Board´s responsibility that the County Council handles personal information correctly.

Professional secrecy and confidentiality

All staff in the County Council follow professional secrecy, which means that no one working within our health care is allowed to hand out information about patients to anyone else without the patient’s persmission.

Your medical record

When you receive health care in Värmland we make notes in your medical record. We do this to ensure you the best and safest care possible. It also helps you with taking part in the care you receive.

The 1177 website gives a more thorough description of professional secrecy and confidentiality.