News

Hi everyone,

 

Like many organisations, here at Derian House we are considering our use of AI tools and mapping out how we use them safely and effectively.

 

Many of you will already use AI as part of your work and we are currently drawing up a policy and procedures to make sure we are using this new technology in a way that keeps our family and donor data safe, and also helps us save time.

 

We will be looking at doing some training with colleagues in the near future around AI and how to get the most out of it. To help make sure the training is tailored to us, it would be good to understand how we currently use it, and what we’d like to do in future.

 

With that in mind, please could you take a couple of minutes to answer these questions, and email your answers back to me:

 

Name:

Role:

1. What AI tools do you currently use at work? (e.g. ChatGPT, CoPilot etc)
2. What tasks do you use AI for?
3. Would you be interested in some training in how to make the most of AI in your role?
4. What do you think AI could be used for to help you in your role?
5. Anything else to add?

 

In the meantime, while we are working on our plan for how we use AI at Derian, please see this guide of five dos and five don’ts that will keep us safe…

 

 

AI use at Derian House: Five Dos and Five Don’ts

As AI becomes more widely used in the workplace, it can be a valuable tool to support efficiency, creativity and productivity.

However, when working in a children’s hospice environment, it is essential that AI is used safely, ethically and in line with our responsibilities to children, families, colleagues and supporters.

 

✅ Five Dos

1. Do protect confidential information

Always remove or anonymise any information that could identify a child, family member, donor, volunteer or colleague before entering it into an AI tool.

2. Do use AI as a support tool, not a decision-maker

AI can help draft documents, generate ideas and summarise information, but professional judgement must always be applied before acting on its output. Be sure that any content for families and supporters is written in our Derian tone of voice and uses the terminology we prefer – people don’t connect on a human level with copy written by AI.

3. Do check all AI-generated content

Review and fact-check anything produced by AI before sharing it internally or externally. AI can make mistakes, provide inaccurate information or present outdated content.

4. Do follow Derian House policies and values

Ensure any use of AI aligns with organisational policies, GDPR requirements, safeguarding responsibilities and our values of being Safe, Compassionate and Accountable.

5. Do be transparent when appropriate

If AI has been used to significantly contribute to a piece of work, be open about its use with colleagues where relevant, particularly for important reports, communications or strategic documents.

 

❌ Five Don’ts

1. Don’t enter personal or sensitive data into public AI tools

Never upload names, medical information, safeguarding concerns, financial data, donor details or any confidential organisational information unless the AI platform has been formally approved for such use.

2. Don’t rely on AI without human review

AI should never be used to make decisions about patient care, safeguarding, clinical matters, HR issues, disciplinary processes or legal matters without appropriate professional oversight.

3. Don’t assume AI is always accurate

AI can confidently present incorrect information. Treat outputs as a first draft or starting point, not a final answer.

4. Don’t use AI to create misleading or deceptive content

AI should not be used to fabricate quotes, testimonials, case studies, images or information that could misrepresent Derian House, our families or our work.

5. Don’t bypass professional expertise

AI should enhance human skills, not replace them. Clinical judgement, safeguarding expertise, leadership decisions and compassionate human interactions must always remain at the heart of what we do.

 

A simple rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing the information publicly, don’t put it into an AI tool. If AI creates something for you, always check it before you use it.