First statutory National Data Guardian for Health and Social Care appointed
Dame Fiona Caldicott has been appointed as the first statutory National Data Guardian (NDG) for Health and Social Care. This remit of this role is to ensure that the public can trust that health and care information is secure and used appropriately.
The role of the NDG was placed on to a statutory footing in December 2018 when the Health and Social Care (National Data Guardian) Act 2018 was passed. The legislation is designed to make the role wholly independent.
Dame Fiona said: “The placing of the National Data Guardian role on a statutory footing sends an important signal that there is an independent champion for patients and the public in relation to how health and adult social care data is used”.
Under the new Act, the NDG will be able to issue official guidance about the processing of health and adult social care data, and public bodies, such as GPs, hospitals, care homes, planners and commissioners of services, will have to take note of the guidance that is relevant to them. Organisations such as private companies or charities which are delivering services for the NHS or publicly funded adult social care will also have to take note of the guidance.
During her address at the ‘National Data Guardian: celebrating, reflecting, looking ahead’ event on Monday 11 March 2019, Dame Fiona explained that the statutory footing aims to provide support and guidance rather than impose legal sanction and more regulation.
She went on to note that one of the challenges for the health and social care system is how the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) interacts with the system, in particular with the common law of confidentiality. There is a need for more clarity around this, and that it is on her list for discussion with the ICO.
Dame Fiona also highlighted that as data sharing becomes more complex within health and social care, that it can often be hard for staff to be able to clearly explain to the public how their data is being used, and there is a need for investment in education and training for staff to support this.
The NDG office is seeking views from those with an interest in the use and safeguarding of health and care data and have launched a public consultation on its proposed priorities. The consultation closes at 11:45pm on Friday 22 March 2019.
Last updated : 19 Mar 2019MWord 40 (20 Jun 2019)
Londonwide LMCs' June 2019 Newsletter (19 Jun 2019)
...Tips of the month June 2019 (19 Jun 2019)
We provide weekly tips based on common queries which come through to us from London GPs and practice teams. These are shared via social media and collated for...PCN Model Schedules update (19 Jun 2019)
We will shortly be issuing an updated version of our PCN Model Schedules to reflect new information which has become available, and respond to queries from practices. The updates include...Babylon GP at Hand update June 2019 (19 Jun 2019)
At the end of May we became aware that Babylon GP at Hand had submitted an application to become a Primary Care Network (PCNs) in Hammersmith and Fulham, with the...Top tips for travel health (18 Jun 2019)
This month Jane Chiodini shares some advice on managing travel health. Jane is a specialist nurse in travel medicine and last October became the first nurse to become Dean...New GP State of Emergency resources (18 Jun 2019)
Thank you to everyone who attended the popular GP State of Emergency (GPSOE) workshop at our annual conference in March, run by Dr Elliott Singer, the Medical Director leading on GPSOE...Migration Advisory Committee calls for GPs to be added to the Shortage Occupation List (14 Jun 2019)
At the end of May the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended that the Government add all medical practitioner roles to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). Being on the SOL means...June 2019 workforce survey – thank you for responding (14 Jun 2019)
Our latest workforce survey officially closed on Tuesday 18 June, but we are allowing those who have opened the email to complete the survey, so please do so if you have the...Mword - Issue 39 (13 Jun 2019)
Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.