Confidentiality
Department
of Health Code of Practice
The
Department of Health's Code of Practice - go
there
Staff
Confidentiality
Information
about staff confidentiality is set out in the Members section -
go there
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
Link
won't open?
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.
Further
information
DoH
Caldicott Guardian Manual
Link
won't open?