Records Management

Records within the NHS context are a valuable resource because of the information that they contain. Information is only useful if it is correctly recorded in the first place, is regularly updated, and is easily accessible when needed. Information is essential to the delivery of high quality evidence-based healthcare. Effective records management ensures that such information is properly managed and available to:

• Support patient care and continuity of care
• Support evidence-based clinical practice
• Support sound adminstrative and managerial decision-making
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements
• Assist clinical and other audits
• Suppirt improvement in clinical effectiveness
• Support effective research

BWHCT has implemented a records management policy and this is based on The Records Management: NHS Code of Practice published in 2006. by the Department of Health. This is a guide to the required standards of practice in te management of records for those who work within or under contrcat to NHS organisations in England. It is based on current legal requirements and professional best practice. It replaces HSC 1999/053 - For the record.

This page was last modified on Fri May 07 2010