Information Governance Toolkit - Caldicott Principles (8 December 2020)

Summary

The Caldicott Principles were developed in 1997 following a review of how patient information was handled across the NHS.

Content

This document outlines the eight Caldicott Principles to be adhered to with in all sectors of the NHS:

• Principle 1 - Justify the purpose(s) for using confidential information.
• Principle 2 - Don't use personal confidential data unless it is absolutely necessary.
• Principle 3 - Use the minimum necessary personal confidential data.
• Principle 4 - Access to personal confidential data should be on a strict need-to-know basis.
• Principle 5 - Everyone with access to personal confidential data should be aware of their responsibilities.
• Principle 6 - Comply with the law.
• Principle 7 - The duty to share information can be as important as the duty to protect patient confidentiality.
• Principle 8: Inform patients and service users about how their confidential information is used.