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Collate and communicate health information to individuals

URN: SFHGEN62
Business Sectors (Suites): General Healthcare
Developed by: Skills for Health
Approved on: 30 Mar 2021

Overview

This standard covers collating and communicating health information to individuals, their family or significant others in response to queries or as part of health promotion and giving advice. Examples include providing information regarding the reported success of a particular treatment; significant news; giving advice following a diagnosis or clinical intervention and associated record keeping.  This will include both verbal and written communication.


This standard is applicable to a wide range of health contexts and roles in emergency, primary and secondary care

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
  2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
  3. deal promptly and effectively with any problems within your control and report those which cannot be solved
  4. communicate with the individual and key people at a pace, in a manner and at a level appropriate to the individual's understanding, preferences and needs
  5. respect the individual's rights and wishes relating to their privacy, beliefs, and dignity
  6. gain valid, informed consent from the individual in accordance with specific procedures
  7. identify the health information required and use relevant secure sources to access it.
  8. use relevant secure sources to access the required health information

  9. ensure the health information **is:

    • evidence based
    • accurate and reliable
    • timely
    • up-to-date
    • relevant to the stated requirements

  10. present the evidence base health information in a format that is consistent with the individual's level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communicating

  11. take steps to clarify issues in a manner that is consistent with the individual's level of understanding, culture and background
  12. confirm that the information needs of the recipient has been met
  13. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
  2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
  3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
  4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
  5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
  6. how to adapt communication styles in ways which are appropriate to the needs of the individual  
  7. evidence-based practice and its role in improving care
  8. the principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
  9. present information in a tone, manner and at a speed which is appropriate to the needs and capabilities of the individuals
  10. the needs of individuals and carers including issues relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy
  11. the principles of effective written and verbal communication
  12. the ethics concerning  confidentiality, and the tensions which may exist between an individual's request for information and the organisation's responsibilities within information governance 
  13. the available sources and types of health information and the relative value of each to the situation and individual need
  14. the importance of using secure sources of information
  15. the importance of using reliable evidence-based health information sources
  16. difficulties that can occur when communicating with individuals and family members/significant others in stressful situations and how to manage these
  17. the need for tact and diplomacy when exchanging information of a potentially stressful nature
  18. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

31 Mar 2026

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Skills for Health

Original URN

SFHGEN62

Relevant Occupations

Health and Social Care, Health and Social Services Officers, Health Associate Professionals, Health Professionals, Health, Public Services and Care, Healthcare and Related Personal Services

SOC Code

2259

Keywords

Collate, communicate, health, information