Confidentiality
The Department of Health's Code of Practice
Staff Confidentiality
Information about staff confidentiality is set out in the Members section
Subscribers to the Members section of this website can download a draft Staff Confidentiality Policy and Agreement from our Library. If you are not a Member, click here for information about the benefits of membership and how to subscribe.
Information security
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly DTI) guidance "Protecting your business assets" highlights the importance of protecting information, whether on paper or held electronically, from being maliciously or unintentionally changed, being accessed by unauthorised people, or being misused. There are a number of other guidance papers on the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly DTI) on the subject of information security
Caldicott
The Caldicott Report is about the use of patient-identifiable information and was published in December 1997 and was the result of an inquiry chaired by Dame Fiona Caldicott. The report found that the confidentiality and security of patient data was variable throughout the NHS. The report:
- Set out a list of principles which should be worked towards throughout the health service
- Proposed that each PCO and Trust appoint an individual (a 'Caldicott Guardian') responsible for ensuring that the principles are implemented and monitored throughout their organisation
Caldicott Guardians
Every Primary Care Organisation (PCO) should have a Caldicott Guardian. This person is responsible for the implementation of the Caldicott principles and is responsible for guarding patients’ data. This person will probably be a member of the PCO Board but could be another senior health professional or an individual with responsibility for promoting clinical governance within the PCO.
Individual Dental Practices do not need to appoint their own Caldicott Guardian but they should have appointed a lead individual (dentist, nurse or other responsible person) for dealing with Caldicott issues.
