NHSX launches online information governance portal

An online portal which provides NHS frontline staff and the public with access to national information governance (IG) guidance has been launched by NHSX.

The portal provides advice on using tools such as video conferencing, mobile messaging and using your own device.

Matthew Gould, chief executive of NHSX, said: “At the start of the pandemic NHSX issued super simple guidance on information governance, that made it much easier for frontline staff to share patient data safely and with confidence, including through the use of communication tools such as video conferencing and mobile messaging to see their patients.

“We have now built on this work to create a new online IG Portal that we hope will become the one-stop shop for clear, consistent and simple guidance to be used by the front line.

“At NHSX, working with the ICO [Information Commissioner’s Office], NDG [National Data Guardian], NHSD [NHS Digital] and other partners, we want to ensure IG is not used as a barrier to sharing data safely and appropriately. We will continue to update the portal over time with simple-to-use guidance that will help staff and improve the care they can give their patients.”

Aside from the portal, NHSX has also set up a Health and Care Information Governance Panel (HCIGP). The role of the panel is to help form the content which is published on the portal.

Members of the panel include Dame Fiona Caldicott, the National Data Guardian for Health and Social Care and Ian Hulme, director of regulatory assurance at the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

In a joint blog post, Dame Caldicott and Hulme welcomed the formation of the portal and the panel.

“As time goes on, the arrangements in place to use data to tackle Covid-19 will need to be reviewed and may need to change,” the post said.

“We look forward to working with the rest of the HCIGP to do this and to meet the demand for clearer guidance about how data may be used for individuals’ care and for other purposes, such as research and planning.

“We hope people will find it encouraging to hear that about the work taking place to ensure that data can be used appropriately to make health and social care is as effective as possible.”