|
 Academic Year:
| 2013/4 |
| Owning Department/School:
| Department for Health |
| Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
Modular (no specific semester) |
| Assessment:
| CW 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: To introduce the theoretical and practical aspects of the Freedom of Information Act and its impact upon health and social care organisations. Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding After taking this unit the student should be able to: * Demonstrate an understanding of the Freedom of Information Act and associated legislation and any statutory instruments * Examine the impact of Freedom of Information on the NHS with the particular impact on patient rights. * Examine the impact of Freedom of Information on the business needs of NHS organisations * Discuss the relationship between Freedom of Information and confidentiality * Examine the effects of Freedom of Information on the internal management of information within an organisation * Critically analyse the role of Freedom of Information on the NHS with particular reference to openness * Critically analyse the relationship between Freedom of Information and knowledge/information management. * Give evidence-based advice to individuals or organisations regarding the effects and management of Freedom of Information factors in a variety of clinical and management contexts. * Explain the procedures involved in applying Freedom of Information legislation and guidance in a range of clinical and management contexts. * Explain the procedures involved in auditing the information needs and flow within organisations. * Explain the procedures involved in developing and managing a corporate records/information strategy in the NHS. These learning outcomes will be taught and assessed. Skills: On completion of this unit students should be able to: * Apply general legislation to specific instances * Undertake a risk assessment for Freedom of Information * Develop and undertake an information audit * Plan and manage their learning through reflecting on and analysing their own learning needs * Integrate and critically evaluate information gathered from a wide range of resources including the unit resources, text books, journal articles, web pages and other online resources. An appreciation for a hierarchy of evidence should be displayed. * Communicate effectively with colleagues and tutors including through asynchronous online discussions. These learning outcomes will be facilitated and some may be assessed. Content: This unit will introduce the students to the theoretical and practical aspects of the Freedom of Information Act and its impact on the NHS. The strategies, processes and systems that are needed to manage Freedom of Information will be examined. This unit will also look at how the Freedom of Information Act has changed how organisations manage information and its impact on organisational change. The issue of records management, including Access to Medical Records (1992), will also be covered by looking at the Lord Chancellor's Code of Practice on the Management of Records Issued under section 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and how confidentiality and freedom of information interact, the conflict that this can cause and how this can be resolved. The Unit will include: * Freedom of Information Legislation - effects of Freedom of Information on the NHS, patient's rights and organisational management. * Freedom of Information Officer-role and responsibilities and how this is integrated into the wider Information Governance role * Case reviews - Examining Freedom of Information cases, and enforcement notices and the impact on the NHS * Wider Legislation - Placing Freedom of Information in wider national and international legislative context. * Information Audit - Examining the need for an information audit and how this can be implemented. |
| Programme availability: |
HL50115 may be available for CPD study if there is sufficient demand. Please contact cpd@bath.ac.uk if you are interested in taking this unit. |