The Ethical Practice topic has been reviewed and updated in line with current legislation, policy documents and guidance. Details of the updates or amendments to the various subtopics within Ethical Practice are summarised below.
Data Protection
Updated to align with changes to the Data Protection Act (2018) and (UK) General Data Protection Regulations ((UK) GDPR). Specific pages that have been amended are: Data sharing, Individual rights, Data protection by design and default, and International transfer of data
Cyber security
New section on Cyber security added that covers data backups, passwords, mobile devices, malware, phishing and procedures for dealing with a cyberattack.
Confidentially and disclosure of information
Updated to align with the Data Protection Act (2018) and the (UK) General Data Protection Regulations (UK) GDPR)).
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
No changes to the advice in this subtopic, but sources of information and links to external websites have been updated.
Child protection
Comprehensive update to better align with recent policy and guidance documents from Scottish Government and the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry.
Note: the PSM does not provide a Child Protection Policy template as each policy is unique to the regional health board.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme
No changes to the advice in this subtopic at present. In April 2025, the implementation of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2000 will bring changes to disclosure services and PVG scheme memberships and this subtopic will be reviewed and updated accordingly.
Consent
No changes to the advice in this subtopic, but sources of information and links to external websites have been updated.
In addition:
Sources of information and external links have been updated throughout the topic.
All templates, checklists, policies and procedure documents have been reformatted to meet accessibility requirements. Some have also been amended in line with the updates made to this topic.