CQC opened a consultation on revisions to its Code of Practice on confidential personal information today. The first version of the Code was published in December 2010 and set out the principles by which CQC would interact with confidential personal information through the course of its daily duties.
CQC are seeking opinions on its Code on confidential personal information to guide their future confidential information policies. Responses are requested by noon on 19 February 2016.
David Behan, Chief Executive of CQC said the following regarding the use of confidential personal information: –
“The use of confidential personal information is crucial to our work as a regulator. We sometimes have to review confidential personal information – including information from medical and care records – because it is necessary to help us understand the quality of people’s care and to ensure that we achieve our purpose of making sure people receive safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care.”
“We want people to tell us about their experience of care, but they must feel confident that the information they give to us is going to be protected and used in the most appropriate way.
“Our aim in revising the code is to ensure that it provides clear and easy-to-follow guidance to support our staff in making lawful, ethical and appropriate decisions in relation to confidential personal information and that it tells people what they can expect from CQC in how we handle private information.”
“The code has implications for people who use the services we regulate and for everyone who works in the care sector, so I would encourage you to take part.”
