What is a Caldicott guardian?
- Correspondence to: Dr Colin Roch-Berry, Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham GL53 7AN, UK; Colin.Roch-Berry{at}egnhst.org.uk
- Received 2 August 2002
- Accepted 14 January 2003
Abstract
A review of patient confidentiality issues was commissioned and its findings published as the Caldicott Report in December 1997. It made 16 recommendations and formulated six principals. To help in remembering these principles the mnemonic FIONA C can be used: Formal justification of purpose; Information transferred only when absolutely necessary; Only the minimum required; Need to know access controls; All to understand their responsibilities; Comply with and understand the law. Since the Caldicott Report in 1997 the following acts have become law. Data Protection Act 1998, Human Rights Act 1998, Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, Audit Commission Act 1998, Terrorism Act 2000, section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and by 2005 The Freedom of Information Act 2000 will become law and affect the NHS. Consequently it can be seen that the role and responsibility of Caldicott guardians has grown significantly into what is now known as information governance.
