The Department of Health announced the appointment of members to the National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care (NIGB).

The NIGB, which reports annually to the Secretary of State for Health, will provide leadership and promote consistent standards for information governance across health and social care. It will also arbitrate on the interpretation and application of information governance policy and give advice on matters at national level.

Membership of the Board comprises lay members appointed by the Appointments Commission and also representatives of key stakeholder organisations. The chair, Harry Cayton, was appointed by the Secretary of State for Health. Harry Cayton is chief executive of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

The Appointments Commission has appointed:

Edward Briffa, who is Head of Learning at BMJ Publishing and has a background in online medical education, online broadcasting and TV production.

Sir Rodney Brooke, who is Chairman of the General Social Care Council and has a long and distinguished career in local government.

Della Cannings QPM, a retired Chief Constable.

Wayne Cleghorn, a Senior Legal Officer with South Gloucestershire Council who has a background in public and private sector legal services.

Ian Hayes who is a self employed consultant and a Trustee of The Terence Higgins Trust. Mr Hayes has a background in the NHS and local government.

Penny Hill, who is Information Strategy Manager at Warwickshire County Council and has a background in social care and in information technology.

Dr Nadeem Khan who is Programme Lead for retinal screening services at Sutton and Merton Primary care Trust and a part time lecturer in neuro-anatomy and neuropathology. He has a background in medical education and biomedical sciences.

Hilary Newiss a retired solicitor and an Intellectual Property Consultant who is also involved in public policy work.

Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild is Rabbi at Wimbledon Synagogue and has also worked in social care.

Dr Michael Wilks, who is a Senior Forensic Medical Examiner for the Metropolitan Police. His background is as a clinician and he has previously chaired the BMA Ethics Committee.

Stakeholder organisations represented on the NIGB are:

Attending:

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
The Allied Health Professions Federation
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
The Academy of Medical Sciences
The British Medical Association
The Independent Healthcare Advisory Services
The Local Government Association
The NHS Confederation
The Royal College of Nursing
The UK Council for Caldicott Guardians
The Patient Information Advisory Group

Corresponding:

The Foundation Trust Network
The General Medical Council
The Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care
The Medical Defence Union
The Medical Protection Society
NHS Employers
The Royal College of Midwives
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
The Strategic Health Authority Chief Information Officers Council

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