There are eight Caldicott Principles relating to how we use and share confidential patient information.
Principle 1: Justify the purpose(s) for using confidential information
Principle 2: Use confidential information only when it is necessary
Principle 3: Use the minimum necessary confidential information
Principle 4: Access to confidential information should be on a strict need-to-know basis
Principle 5: Everyone with access to confidential information should be aware of their responsibilities
Principle 6: Comply with the law
Principle 7: The duty to share information for individual care is as important as the duty to protect patient confidentiality
Principle 8: Inform patients and service users about how their confidential information is used
The principles are supported by the Practice Caldicott Guardian. A Caldicott Guardian is a senior person responsible for protecting the confidentiality of people’s health and care information and making sure it is used properly. Our Caldicott Guardians are Dr David Charles and Dr Christopher Evans-Hall.
More information about the Caldicott Principles can be found here.