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An information accreditation scheme
We know that people use information to support them in making decisions about their health, healthcare and social care. Quality information empowers people to make choices that are right for them.
About the scheme
The information accreditation scheme has a pivotal role in improving patient experience in that it will ‘kite mark’ information producers in order to make it easier for people to make their own judgements about the quality of information to make decisions about their health, health care and social care.
As well as supporting people to make more informed choices and take greater control over their own care, the scheme will also support information producers, which will lead to improvements in the quality of information. All organisations – public, voluntary, commercial – can apply to become members of the scheme once launched in 2009.
We are currently testing the scheme with 40 organisations spanning the voluntary, commercial and public sectors. The testing network will:
- test the scheme Standard
- share their experiences in order to support the development of case studies
- help to develop the visual identity of the quality mark.
To find out more about the organisations involved in the testing network, click on the section to the right.
Aiding decision-making and improving quality
How the information accreditation scheme can aid patients and professionals make decisions, and improve the quality of services.
Building the scheme
The information accreditation scheme is being developed to deliver a nationally recognised way to reassure people that the health and social care information they access is from a reliable source.
- Overview of the policy position
- Trends in information
- The structure of the scheme
- Developing process-based accreditation for information production
- Who produces health and social care information?
- Who uses health and social care information?
- Providing support for information producers
- Download summary of research to support the development of the scheme (PDF, 143K)
Further information
- Download questions and answers on the information accreditation scheme - updated 19 September 2008 (PDF, 54K)
- For more information, please email: accreditation@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
- Download information accreditation scheme slideshow [WARNING: large file] - updated August 2008 (PPT, 2925K)
Additional links
Related links
Procurement of a scheme operator
DH has gone out to tender through the OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union) to find an independent operator for the accreditation scheme.
Information accreditation scheme Standard
This Standard has evolved through a number of revisions, responding to findings from ongoing research, and consultation with a wide range of health and social care information producers. This will be the subject of further testing.
Information quality in England
Assessing information to support health and social care choices
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