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Patient Information Advisory Group

The Patient Information Advisory Group was established to provide advice on issues of national significance involving the use of patient information (data) and to oversee arrangements created under Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006 (originally enacted under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001). Section 251 permits the common law duty of confidentiality to be set aside in specific circumstances for medical purposes.

PIAG was replaced by the National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care (NIGB) under Section 158 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and was formally wound up on 31 December 2008. Responsibility for administering Section 251 powers transferred to the National Information Governance Board on 1 January 2009.

PIAG and the National Information Governance Board

The National Information Governance Board have established a new committee, the NIGB Ethics and Confidentiality Committee to administer applications under S251 on its behalf. Most PIAG members have agreed to transfer to the new committee to provide continuity and prevent disruption as a result of the statutory changes. Further information is included in:

Membership and terms of reference

All press enquiries should be directed to the Department of Health Press office rather than to members directly.

Meetings

Dates of NIGB Ethics and Confidentiality Committee meetings

All papers and applications for Section 251 support should be submitted at least a month before the meeting of the Ethics and Confidentiality Committee of the National Information Governance Board at which you wish your application to be considered.

 Date of meetings 2009                   Deadline for applications
 27 January   
 25 March  
 21 May 
 20 July   
 21 September 
 24 November                              		  24 December 2008
 25 February
 21 April
 19 June
 21 August
 23 October

Applications and guidance

A single, integrated application system has been developed to simplify applying for approval or permission to conduct a piece of research in the Health Service

Reports and publications

Links

Contact PIAG

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