Information Governance Department

The Information Governance Department is based at Macclesfield District General Hospital. The department acts as a central point of contact for requests for information under the following Acts:

• The Data Protection Act 1998
• Access to Health Records Act 1990
• Freedom of Information Act 2000 
• Environmental Information Regulations 2004

Accessing patient records

Patients have a right to access to health information about themselves. Guidance has been produced on the processes to access both living (Subject access request under the Data Protection Act) and deceased patient information (Access to Health Records Act 1990).

If you would like more information about accessing medical records, please contact the Information Governance Department who progress requests on behalf of the trust.

Accessing other types of information

The Information Governance Department also manages the FOI and EIR function for the trust.

How to make Freedom of Information and EIR requests

What is Information governance?

Information governance is described as a framework for handling information in a confidential and secure manner to appropriate ethical and quality standards.  

It is concerned with the way the NHS handles all organisational information, in particular the personal and sensitive information of patients and employees. Fundamentally, it allows organisations and individuals to ensure that personal information is dealt with legally, securely, efficiently and effectively, in order to deliver the best possible care.

The concept of information governance has been around for a while but as separate entities. The term information governance has brought all key information processing standards, guidance and law under one umbrella to strengthen the initiative. The assurance process also requires regular returns to the Department of Health via an information governance toolkit. 

The information governance framework incorporates the following elements:

• The NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice
• The Data Protection Act 1998
• The Freedom of Information Act 2000
• The Records Management NHS Code of Practice
• Information Quality Assurance
• Information Security Assurance

More information

Applications in writing:

Jean King, Information Governance Manager

Information Governance Department
Macclesfield District General Hospital
Education and Training Building
Victoria Road
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK10 3BL

Email applications: ecn-tr.InfoGov@nhs.net

By telephone: 01625 661625 or 01625 663608   

Information Governance e-learning for staff, agency workers and volunteers

Information Governance e-learning is now mandatory across the NHS.  The following guidance is to assist staff, volunteers, contracted and agency workers with completing their training.

Guide for East Cheshire Trust Staff, contract worker, bank staff and volunteers

• How to get started - quick guide to your e-learning
• Poster

Here is the link for the Information Governance Training Tool Site:

 IG Training Tool registration page

Remember! If you registered with your groupwise account last year, you will need to use this as your user name, then change to your NHSmail address.  Any problems contact IG Dept 01625 661625