In residential care centres, residents are always the top priority. However, alongside providing care, another crucial aspect is gaining increasing attention: privacy. At Armonea, a leading group of care institutions, privacy is not seen as a secondary matter but as an essential part of care. In collaboration with CRANIUM, expert in data protection and their formal Data Protection Officer (DPO), Armonea ensures that privacy is an integral part of their daily care practices. How do we achieve this? Read on to find out.
Handling Data Responsibly: A Challenge for Residential Care Centres
Since 1979, Armonea has been committed to helping people “age positively.” Their employees work daily to provide residents with the best possible care. However, quality care goes beyond medical and physical support; protecting personal data is inextricably linked to it.
“Privacy is not just a separate obligation; it is an essential part of quality care,” says Lisa Botteldoorn, Privacy Consultant at CRANIUM. “We understand that care providers want to focus primarily on their residents. That’s why we take over Armonea’s data protection obligations by serving as their external Data Protection Officer (DPO). This allows them to dedicate most of their attention to care while ensuring the privacy of their residents.”
With 86 residential care centres across Belgium, it was essential to develop a streamlined approach, where both compliance and awareness play a central role.
From Privacy Audits to Awareness: The External DPO Takes Care of It All
As an external DPO, CRANIUM supports Armonea with a team of specialised consultants. This means that expertise is always available without Armonea having to appoint an internal DPO. The team takes on various tasks, including conducting audits, training staff, and ensuring compliance.
A key part of this is the periodic “rounds.” Several times a year, CRANIUM conducts random visits to different residential care centres to check for privacy risks. “During these audits, we look at whether documents or data are left unattended, something that often happens unconsciously,” explains Lisa Botteldoorn. “This routine helps staff become more aware of handling sensitive data and ensures that Armonea remains compliant with privacy legislation.”
Awareness Across All Levels: From Administrative to Care Staff
CRANIUM also focuses heavily on training and awareness. Both administrative staff and care providers receive regular training on how to handle personal data securely. This goes beyond regulations; it also includes practical applications, such as correctly using social media and preventing accidental data breaches. “Thanks to CRANIUM’s awareness sessions, I’ve learned how to safely share photos and other information about residents,” says Lieve, one of the employees.
How CRANIUM Contributes to Better Care
With the tools and guidance provided by CRANIUM as DPO, employees are more aware of risks and can proactively take measures to protect personal data. This not only enhances data security but also contributes to the overall quality of care.
As Sean, director of the Kapelleveld residential care centre in Ternat, states, “With CRANIUM’s guidance, we can work more efficiently and consciously, ultimately leading to better care for our residents.”
Curious about how we can support your organisation’s data protection policy? Our team is ready to assist you, from assessment to implementation and awareness. Contact Jill for more information.
