Information Governance
General Practices and Primary Care: Training for Information Governance, Confidentiality, Caldicott Guardians & The Data Protection Act
Caldicott Guardian Training for General Practices
Introduction
General Practices now need an Information Governance Lead/ Caldicott Guardian in order to meet Annex 7 of Direct Enhanced Services Specification in England and to qualify for extra points under the contract. The specification states that “practices will be required to prepare a plan that demonstrates their commitment to the DES which should include:
- “nomination of a Caldicott Guardian”
- “evidence of compliance with good information governance practice including clauses on confidentiality in contracts of employment, training, compliance with the Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse Act and Caldicott Guardianship.”
"In addition practices should”:
- Undertake appropriate training and demonstrate proficiency in information governance standards”.
The situation is similar in Wales, where the Welsh Health Circular 2006 (016) states:
- “Contractors are required by virtue of their Contract to nominate a person with responsibility for practices and procedures relating to the confidentiality of personal data held by the contractor. This reflects an existing requirement that applies to all other NHS bodies, where roles such as ‘Caldicott Guardian’ or ‘Caldicott Lead’ are common. In primary care, this responsibility might be delegated to an appropriate member of the practice, though clinicians will need to be involved where decisions about the disclosure of confidential clinical information need to be made. Contractors should also have regard to the need for security of personal data”.
Caldicott Guardians - Quality Assurance
Dilys Jones Associates Ltd has provided training for over 1700 Caldicott Guardians and Personal Data Guardians within the United Kingdom.
Our courses are approved/accredited by:
- ODLQC - New Provider Status
- CORAS - NHS Education for Scotland
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
For further information, please visit our training and consultancy pages.
Background
The management of information, including patient information is a key requirement for general practices. The “NHS Code of Practice on Confidentiality” and the Welsh equivalent set out the confidentiality requirements. The Welsh Code is more up to date in terms of related legislation.
English Code
Welsh Code
The management of personal information and the considerations that need to be made are further set out in the circulars below:
The “Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information: General Medical Services (GMS), Personal Medical Services (PMS), and Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) Code of Practice” set out the requirements in respect of confidentiality for practices in England.
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In Wales, the circular is WHC 2006 (016) (The Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information: General Medical Services and Alternative Provider Medical Services Directions 2006)
Welsh Health Circular 2006 (016)
Useful Resources
To view useful resources for Caldicott Guardians click here
Feedback
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