Special aspects in the NHS Context

Term	Definition
Caldicott Guardian	A senior professional in the NHS who safeguards patient confidentiality and privacy. They are responsible for protecting patient information, including how it is used in, for example, research. Named after Dame Fiona Caldicott, the first UK National Data Guardian.
National Data Guardian	The National Data Guardian (NDG) for Health and Social Care is an independent champion for patients and the public when it comes to matters of their confidential health and social care data, and appointed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care by statute . To support the development and maintenance of trustworthy systems and practices, the NDG provide advice, encouragement, and challenge to the health and social care system on the safe, appropriate, and ethical use of people’s confidential health and care information. The NDG advise the UK government and NHS on the processing of health and adult social care data in England. Both the Caldicott Guardian and the National Data Guardian protect patient information. The Caldicott Guardian focuses on data protection within individual healthcare organisations. See also: Caldicott Guardian. See also: UK Government National Data Guardian 🔗
National Data Opt-Out (NDO)	The NHS National Data Opt-Out in England and Wales allows individuals to say 'no' to sharing their personal information for things like research without asking them first. This comes from the NHS Act Section 251 and the requirements outlined in the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act. By default, patients are included in the system. But if someone doesn't want their private information to be shared, they can choose to opt-out using the National Data Opt-out; their personal information remains exclusively for their medical care.