Information Governance is a framework, which brings together all the statutory requirements, standards and best practice that apply to the handling of information.  The work encompasses areas of legislation e.g. the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and also a number of initiatives such as information security, the Caldicott Framework, records management, information quality assurance, and confidentiality.

The Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) has asked NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) to establish an Information Governance programme for NHSScotland.  ISD has set up a formal programme of work to do this and has a small team in place to develop, implement and take forward the programme.


The Programme
The Information Governance Team, based in ISD, supports NHSScotland staff by:

• Offering an in depth knowledge of the individual elements of Information Governance.
• Developing and publishing Information Governance standards.
• Developing tools to support compliance with the standards.
• Facilitates national forums such as the NHSScotland Data Protection Forum and the IT Security Officers Forum.

The Information Governance team works closely with NHS Education for Scotland (NES), NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) and various forums that represent groups within NHSScotland.  This partnership working has helped to develop a range of standards, tools and educational initiatives to support NHSScotland to meet its Information Governance commitments

If you would like to know more about the Information Governance Programme please visit the Information Governance Specialist e-Library, or contact the team by email or at this address:

Information Governance Team
NHS National Services Scotland
Information Services Division
Area 067
Gyle Square
1 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9EB

Tel: (0131) 275 7176

Email: NSS.infogov@nhs.net

Web: http://www.elib.scot.nhs.uk/portal//ig/Pages/index.aspx