Single info governance board plans unveiled

Full details of the cost and role of the new National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care were published this week following the introduction of the Health and Social Care Bill to the House of Commons.

The bill confirms that the new board will have responsibility for the NHS Care Record Guarantee for England – setting out the rules that will govern information held in the NHS Care Records Service and will develop a similar guarantee for social care.

Last month, the government announced the members of the National Information Governance Board, however this board is actually an interim board, with the Patient Information Advisory Group (PIAG) remaining as the statutory body.

If the bill is passed by parliament, the government says the statutory National Information Governance Board will replace PIAG, completing the transition to “a clear, authoritative and accountable structure with a single board dealing with all information governance matters for both health and social care.”

“Its remit and statutory powers will be broader than those of PIAG and its membership will reflect this. The functions of PIAG will be transferred to the statutory National Information Governance Board,” the DH says.

The single board will run at an average annual cost of £271,000, as opposed to £297,000 spent on current arrangements. Currently, as a non-statutory body, the board has a secretariat budget of £84,000 per year and lay members can claim £145 per expenses for each meeting.

Explaining the need for a single body, a DH spokesperson told EHI: “Currently there is a lack of clarity for individual organisations seeking advice on information governance matters and this could lead to different interpretations of legislation and policy.

“A single body is needed that is structured to meet current and future needs, and which also has the necessary statutory powers to oversee information governance arrangements, in order to support the NHS and social care staff by providing a national source of guidance and advice.

“The National Information Governance Board will aim to provide service users and the public with confidence that appropriate measures are in place to protect information. It will work to facilitate the appropriate sharing of information in order to support the delivery of seamless care.”

The move to create the single body follows the 2006 publication of the ‘Information governance in the Department of Health and the NHS; a review and recommendations’ which found there was no single authoritative voice, potential overlaps and confusion over information governance in the NHS as it stands.

However, under the new bill, the government plans to establish a new super-regulator to oversee health and social care in England with powers to fine hospitals and shut down wards.

The Care Quality Commission will have a beefed up remit to inspect and intervene at failing hospitals. It will combine the functions of the existing Healthcare Commission, the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Mental Health Act Commission.

If the bill is passed, the Care Quality Commission will be responsible for preparing and publishing a code in respect of the practice it proposes to follow in relation to confidential personal information.

The National Information Governance Board will be responsible for arbitrating on the interpretation of this policy and give advice in order to build public confidence in the NHS Care Record System.

The DH said: “It is the electronic NHS which will both facilitate patient choice and mobility and enable diversity of providers. However, national standards to guide local implementation are required to meet the necessary standards of confidentiality, security, and safety. The introduction of a National Information Governance Board for Health and Social care will enable these standards to be met.

“The need for national oversight of consistent local implementation will increase as NHS

provision becomes more diverse. If the benefits of the NHS Care Records Service are to be achieved, engaging social care, independent providers and regulatory bodies will be integral to generating consistent good practice.”

The Health and Social Care Bill is due for its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday (26 November) where MPs will be able to debate its proposals.

Links 

Health and Social Care Bill