Who will they tell?

I want the University to tell me information or pass information on to the students’ parents

• We cannot discuss an individual's situation/circumstance (without their permission) with you or anyone else, BUT we can contact the student you are concerned about and offer support if it’s appropriate. We cannot guarantee that they will choose to take advantage of this
• We only contact the next of kin if medical personnel advise that it is required
• We pass contact details to a hospital or police in an emergency and might seek advice from them regarding the need to contact next of kin
• Hospitals have similar guidelines and do not notify the University of hospitalised students unless asked to do so by the student. It is up to student themselves to inform the University that they are in hospital; many choose not to
• If we do have contact with a student in hospital, we suggest that they let people at home know, but cannot do this for them without their permission

Legally:

• The Data Protection Act protects individuals' rights to confidentiality
• Confidentiality of personal information will be maintained by not releasing information, except under particular circumstances, to third parties without the express consent of the data subject
• Neither University policy nor UK law allows us to disclose any information about a student without their express consent to any third party – even a parent – except in an emergency