GPs can now make their IGSoC submission online and the process is very simple: many GPs registered for IM&T DES will already have met some of the requirements of the DES initiative by completing their IGSoC as part of their Information Governance Toolkit (IGT) self-assessment and submission.

Benefits for Practices:

With this new functionality, a practice can now submit their IGSoC online, without the need to physically sign a document, copy and paste information into emails and submit from the right mailbox, so it simplifies the whole process.

Your 'Information Governance Assurance Statement' will now be automatically provided at the point when you submit your annual IG Toolkit assessment. If your assessment has appropriate scores for the key IG SoC related requirements, a 'pop up' window will appear on your screen after you press the submit button containing the full statement. This statement can be printed for your records. You will not longer have to enter validation codes to receive your statement.

Benefits for PCTs:

This new functionality will allow PCTs to track and manage their GP practices through the IGSoC process. PCT IG representatives, with the correct TDB permissions, will access the new GP IGSoC Screen that will show a practice's PCTs status.

The TDB now routinely records and recognises when a practice has reached level 2 for the key IGSoC requirements in the IGT and it will mark practices as 'IGT Approved.'

In instances where practices have not yet reached level 2 in the key IGT requirements, the PCT can go into the GPs record and tick to highlight that there is an action/implementation plan in place. New fields added to the existing IGT – Attainment by Organisation report will give the PCT a summary view of the IGSoC status of all of the practices in their patch.

Useful documentation:

For general information on information governance, please see the Good Practice Guidelines (PDF 1.4Mb) prepared by the Joint GP IT Committee of the General Practitioners Committee and the Royal College of GPs.

New Joint Guidance (PDF 82Kb) is now available from the BMA and NHS CFH to advise health care staff on how to protect electronic patient information.

Contact us:

Email exeter.helpdesk@nhs.net or phone 01392 251289