DH chooses 40 bodies for information accreditation

  • 28 July 2008

A total of 40 organisations have been selected to test the Department of Health’s information accreditation scheme that will award quality marks to bodies producing health and social care information.

The initiative will ‘kite mark’ information producers, accrediting the source of information rather than the information itself, to make it easier for people to be assured that the health and social care information they are accessing is reliable.

Making up the 40 organisations chosen to test the scheme are 24 charities, 10 public sector bodies including a PCT and six hospitals, and six organisations from the commercial sector.

The commercial organisations selected include BUPA, the BMJ Group and Patient UK, a health information website backed by GP computer supplier EMIS.

The testing network will test the scheme’s national standard, share experiences to support the development of case studies and help to develop the visual identity of the quality mark.

The scheme is due to launch in 2009 following the completion of the testing phase and all organisations from the public, voluntary and commercial sectors can apply to become a member. Information producers will have to meet the requirements of the national standard which will apply to information in any format including leaflets, booklets and online information.

Health minister Ann Keen said the test sites would be invaluable in providing knowledge and insight for organisations considering joining the scheme in future.

She added: “There is much information out there that it’s hard for people – both the public and professionals – to know what can be relied upon. A scheme with a recognisable quality mark will assure them that information is from a reliable source.”

Useful link

DH information accreditation scheme

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Sign up

Related News

Digital coaching firm Holly Health partners with Patients Know Best

Digital coaching firm Holly Health partners with Patients Know Best

Digital health coaching service Holly Health will be available through the NHS App through a colloboration with Patients Know Best (PKB).
AI robots carry out 3,000 care visits a week for vulnerable people

AI robots carry out 3,000 care visits a week for vulnerable people

Health tech company Cera says that it is using droid-like robots to carry out 3,000 care visits a week to elderly and vulnerable people.
East Ayrshire partners with Totalmobile to optimise at-home care

East Ayrshire partners with Totalmobile to optimise at-home care

East Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership (EAHSCP) has partnered Totalmobile to optimise its at-home care services.