In her role, which has been created to ensure public confidence in data use, Caldicott will oversee the safe use of people’s personal health and care information and will be able to intervene if she is concerned by how an organisation is sharing patients’ data.
Caldicott will report directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to report those organisations she believes are not complying with data laws.
In a speech to the King’s Fund this afternoon, Hunt is expected to say: “I am delighted that Dame Fiona Caldicott, who has done so much outstanding work in this area, has agreed to be the first national data guardian for health and care.
“I intend to put the national data guardian on a legal footing at the earliest opportunity, but the CQC and ICO have decided to sanction organisations that do not comply with her recommendations even before that legislation is passed so patients will benefit immediately from the security of a much tougher and more transparent regime.”
Dame Fiona Caldicott, said of her new role: “Everyone should feel confident that their healthcare information is shared safely.
“As the first national data guardian I am committed to holding the health and social care system to account and acting on behalf of patients and care users.”