Information focus - other support
Policy and reports
This section includes key strategic and standard documents which shape the current policy framework for clinical governance. The section also identifies legal requirements when relevant. The items below are specific to Information Focus but for the overarching national standards and strategies please refer to the four country views section. The documents are listed in date order. The most recent publications appear at the top of the list.
Some of the resources on this page are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.
The power of information: putting all of us in control of the health and care information we need (2012)
This information strategy from the Department of Health sets a ten-year framework for transforming information for the NHS, public health and social care. One of the key commitments is that patients will be able to view their GP record online by 2015. The website includes links to a visual guide to the information strategy and case studies supporting the power of information. View the Information Strategy document in full, and the RCN response.
The right information, in the right place, at the right time: A study of how healthcare organisations manage personal data (2009) (PDF 851KB)
The Care Quality Commission report calls for better patient care by ensuring the right patient information is in the right place, at the right time. It covers: the policies and practices that ensure patient records are kept confidential and secure; the quality of information about patients and their care; how information is shared between healthcare organisations and patients and their carers and how information about individual patients is used to shape their care
NHS Wales (2009) Informing healthcare - achievements
Informing Healthcare is a Welsh Assembly Government programme set up to improve health services in Wales by introducing new ways of accessing, using and storing information. This report outlines their progress over the past 12 months.
Health Informatics Review (2008)
This report reviews how information can be better used across the Department of Health and the NHS. It identifies a series of actions to improve the informatics skills of all health care staff. It will be followed by a more detailed Health Informatics Review Implementation Report in autumn 2008.
Scottish eHealth Strategy 2008 - 2011 (2008) (PDF 2.12MB)
NHS Scotland has published the eHealth strategy for Scotland for 2008-2011. The vision for eHealth supports the goals which are set out in the Better Health Better Care Action Plan. This document presents the key strategic principles and a summary of action and outcomes, and identifies the priorities for the next three years. For more information visit: eHealth for NHS Scotland.
Informing Healthier Choices: Information and Intelligence for Healthy Populations (2007)
One of the commitments given in the Choosing Health white paper was to develop and implement a comprehensive public health information and intelligence strategy. This strategy sets out the Department of Health's vision for strengthening health information and intelligence resources across England. The strategy includes a framework and an overview of plans for delivery.
Dr Foster Intelligence: 21 NHS innovators making a difference (2007) (PDF 1.3MB)
This Dr. Foster Intelligence report looks at 21 success stories in acute hospitals, primary care trusts and GP practices. The stories from across the NHS demonstrate how people have used information to deliver quality, safety and efficiency improvements on patient care.
Informed to Care: Managing IT to deliver information in the NHS in Scotland (2006) (PDF 1.3MB)
A report by Audit Scotland providing a high-level overview of the national picture. The report suggests that the Scottish Executive needs to continue to improve the way it manages information technology in order to support better care for patients in the NHS in Scotland.
Information and Communications Technology Strategy (2005) (PDF 567KB)
This Information and Communications Technology Strategy (ICT) is published by Northern Ireland's Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. It aims to deliver the 'Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Vision Statement' which was issued for consultation in June 2001. The Strategy focuses on two major themes for ICT development: Electronic care records and electronic care communications.
From vision to reality. Implementing the ICT strategy (2005) (PDF 193KB)
Northern Ireland's HPSS ICT Programme includes the projects and work required to deliver the information strategy for Northern Ireland. It focuses on what priorities are needed and the actions required to ensure successful implementation.
Better information, better choices, better health. Putting information at the heart of health (2004)
The Department of Health's 'Choosing Health' consultation on public health confirmed the need to improve information. 'Everyone should have access to the high quality information they need to make these choices.' This strategy brings together a three year programme of action, at both national and local levels, to address this.
Informing Healthcare (2003) (PDF 197.2KB)
Informing Healthcare is the Welsh Assembly Government's National Programme to develop new methods, tools and information technologies to transform health services for the people of Wales. Its aim is to modernise health service delivery, promoting new ways of working through better access to information and knowledge for shared decision making (summary document).