CALDICOTT GUARDIANS
In December 1997, the Caldicott 'Report on the Review of Patient-Identifiable Information' identified weaknesses in the way parts of the NHS handled confidential patient-identifiable data.
Patient identifiable information can include:
- NHS Number
- Casenote number
- Name
- Address
- Postcode
- Date of Birth
- Other dates: e.g. death, diagnosis
- Sex
- Ethnic Group
- Diagnosis/Treatment
One of the report's recommendations was the appointment of Caldicott Guardians, members of staff in the NHS with a responsibility to ensure patient-identifable data is kept secure and used in accordance with the principles in the table below:
(Please note, these principles apply in addition to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998)
| Principle | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Justify the Purpose(s) | Every proposed use or transfer of patient-identifiable information within or from an organisation should be clearly defined and scrutinised, with continuing uses regularly reviewed by an appropriate guardian. |
| 2. Don't use patient-identifiable information unless it is absolutely necessary | Patient-identifiable information items should not be used unless there is no alternative. |
| 3. Use the minimum necessary patient-identifiable information | Where use of patient-identifiable information is considered to be essential, each individual item of information should be justified with the aim of reducing identifiability. |
| 4. Access to patient-identifiable information should be on a strict need to know basis | Only those individuals who need access to patient-identifiable information should have access to it, and they should only have access to the information items that they need to see. |
Research work that proposes to make use of existing patient-identifiable data sets must:
- Follow the principles outlined in the table above
- Have permission from the relevant Caldicott Guardian in the NHS
Caldicott Guardians in our associated NHS Trusts
Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust
Caldicott Guardian: Mike Anderson, Medical Director
For enquiries/advice: Contact Peter Wade, Research Manager
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust
Caldicott Guardian: Recruitment to post in process
For enquiries/advice: Contact the Royal Brompton R&D Office
