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Information Governance Department

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Information Governance is the set of standards we must follow in handling personal healthcare records. Good information governance means that all personal health information is handled legally, securely, efficiently and effectively in order to deliver the best possible care to people who use our services. It also includes sharing of relevant personal health information with our healthcare providers, where appropriate.

Information Governance provides a framework of bringing together all the relevant legislation, guidance and evidence-based practice that apply to the handling of information and offers a consistent way for people working in healthcare to deal with the many different legal provisions, guidance and professional codes of conduct that apply to handling personal health information. The workforce is provided with guidance and appropriate, effective training.

The Hospital has a robust Information Governance framework, we ensure that we comply with legal requirements (lawfulness), handle information securely, efficiently and effectively. We execute our duties in an ethical manner (fairness), and apply those legal and ethical duties to both clinical practice and the overall governance of the Hospital (transparency). This is to ensure good quality information underpins sound decision-making at every level in TUH and contributes to the improvement of healthcare.

What does it involve?

  • We must manage our records effectively. This means that information should be accurate, up to date and accessible when needed.
  • We must ensure that information is kept securely and is accessed only by those who should be accessing it.
  • We must protect the confidentiality of the information – information provided in confidence is not to be used or disclosed in a way that might identify an individual, without a legal basis for processing.
  • Patients have a right to access health information about themselves.

What are the benefits? 

  • Appropriate management and workforce structures are in place to oversee Information Governance arrangements.
  • Information is held securely and is accurate and available, when and where it is needed.
  • Information is used ethically in a manner that protects the rights and best interests o patients and service users
  • Processes and procedures for information and records management are efficient and effective.
  • Information if shared appropriately to facilitate the safe transfer and sharing of care.

How is Information Governance managed in the Hospital? 

There is an Information Governance Steering Committee in the Hospital, established to oversee the development, implementation and continuous improvement in the structures and processes required to ensure that: 
  • Any information obtained by the hospital is appropriate, accurate, complete, safe and secure, and is destroyed in line with our Records Retention Policy.
  • The development, implementation and continuous improvement of the structures and processes required to ensure that each patient who attends TUH has a unique and secure healthcare record. The record would provide a comprehensive, current, accurate and clear account of all aspects of a patient’s condition, care and treatment, which is accessible to authorised staff at the point of care delivery.
  • Staff are made aware of their responsibility in the capture, use and maintenance of sensitive personal data.
  • Appropriate training and awareness campaigns are identified for staff in the area of Information Governance.

Does the Hospital have a privacy notice? 

Yes. The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires that data controllers provide certain information to people whose information (personal data) they hold and use. A privacy policy is one way of providing this information.

If I have a query about the privacy notice who do I contact? 

Email: DPO@tuh.ie

Contact number: (01) 414 3110

Post:
Head of Information Governance
Tallaght University Hospital
Tallaght
Dublin D24 NROA

Service Hours

Phones are attended between 8am and 8pm 

A voicemail service is available outside these hours.

What is the purpose of the privacy notice? 

The purpose of our privacy notice is to clearly communicate to you how the Hospital handles your personal information. It will give you a better understanding of the type of personal information that the Hospital holds about you and the way the hospital handles the information.

The full privacy notice can be accessed here.