The Caldicott Principles are a set of eight ethical and practical guidelines designed to ensure that patient-identifiable information is handled appropriately in health and social care settings.
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Justify the purpose – Every use of confidential information must have a valid reason.
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Use personal data only when necessary – Avoid unnecessary use of identifiable information.
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Use the minimum necessary data – Share only what is required for the purpose.
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Restrict access – Access should be granted strictly on a need-to-know basis.
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Ensure awareness – All staff must understand their responsibilities regarding confidentiality.
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Comply with the law – Information must be used in accordance with legal requirements.
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Share when appropriate – The duty to share can be as important as the duty to protect.
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Be transparent – Inform individuals how their information is used and shared.
These principles underpin lawful and ethical information-sharing practices and reinforce public confidence in healthcare systems.
