Health Secretary asks CQC to review approaches by NHS bodies to data security
The Health Secretary has asked the Care Quality Commission to review the effectiveness of current approaches to data security by NHS organisations when it comes to handling patient-confidential data.
Jeremy Hunt said last week that he had also asked Dame Fiona Caldicott, the National Data Guardian, to contribute to the review by developing clear guidelines for the protection of personal data against which every NHS and care organisation would be held to account.
The work is to be completed in January with recommendations on how the new guidelines can be assured through CQC inspections and NHS England commissioning processes.
David Behan, the CQC's chief executive, said: "People need to have trust in the NHS and have confidence that their personal medical records will be secure and protected at all times. We welcome the Secretary of State's request for us to carry out a national review of security arrangements across the NHS for patient-confidential medical information. We will work with Dame Fiona and others on this important issue."
