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Which organisations should appoint a Caldicott Guardian Now, organisations in scope of the guidance are being asked to put in place a Caldicott Guardian, whether by appointing a member of their own staff or making other arrangements. This guidance changes that, by introducing a requirement that widens the type and number of organisations that are expected to have one. Previously only NHS organisations and local authorities were required to have a Caldicott Guardian. They play a vital role in ensuring that health and social care data is used responsibly to support the delivery of better care and that confidentiality is respected. As this guidance is published under the National Data Guardian’s power to issue guidance described within the Health and Social Care (National Data Guardian) Act 2018, those it applies to need to give it due regard.Ĭaldicott Guardians are senior people within an organisation who protect the confidentiality of people’s information by considering the ethical and legal aspects of data sharing. In his tribute, Carvel says Dame Fiona was “preparing to complete her extended term as NDG at the end of March 2021 and wanted before then to make the first use of her statutory powers to enhance the authority of Caldicott Guardians”.This guidance is about the appointment, role and responsibilities of Caldicott Guardians in respect of data processing activities undertaken within their organisations. This led to the eighth Caldicott principle – putting a responsibility on professionals to inform patients and service users about how their confidential information is used. Her recent work included advising the government about temporary relaxation of the normal rules to permit more extensive data sharing to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The result was a seventh Caldicott principle which concluded that “the duty to share information can be as important as the duty to protect it”.
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The aim of the inquiry was to find an appropriate balance between the protection of patient information and the sharing of information to improve care.
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Then in 2012-13, Dame Fiona was asked by the Government to lead a second inquiry known as the Information Governance Review. The Caldicott report in 1997 also recommended that NHS organisations should each appoint a “guardian” to uphold these principles- these later became known as “Caldicott Guardians”. Published in 1997, the Caldicott report included six Caldicott Principles for sharing personal confidential data and established that confidential information should only be used when absolutely necessary, for a justifiable purpose, within the law and on a strict need-to-know basis. Īs well as being the first National Data Guardian, Dame Fiona was also appointed to lead a review of how patient information was protected. And always with the interests of patients at heart. “She tackled the thorniest of subjects with wisdom, kindness and skill,” he added.įew people in our lifetime will have such a lasting personal legacy.
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Matthew Gould, NHSX’s CEO, said on Twitter “we owe Dame Fiona a great debt of gratitude”. Her name is well known across our sector and beyond, but we had the added privilege of knowing her personally and holding dear the thoughtful, compassionate person behind the public profile.” “She led us with unswerving integrity, modesty and a commitment to doing her best for patients and service users.
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“As members of the team who supported Dame Fiona in her work as National Data Guardian for Health and Social Care, we are full of sorrow at losing our inspirational colleague,” Carvel wrote. Tributes have been paid to Dame Fiona Caldicott, the first National Data Guardian (NDG) for Health and Social Care, who has passed away aged 80.ĭame Fiona, who celebrated her 80th birthday in January, was appointed to the office of the National Data Guardian in November 2014 and was confirmed as the first statutory holder of the position in April 2019.Ī tribute written by John Carvel on behalf of the NDG panel and office team was posted on the gov.uk website on February 15.
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