Sending laboratory medicine reports by Royal Mail is a widespread
practice. I'm not aware of any guidance that it is inappropriate.
The relevant DoH site is:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/InformationPolicy/
PatientConfidentialityAndCaldicottGuardians/Caldicott/
ImplementingCaldicottRecommendations/fs/en?
CONTENT_ID=4015633&chk=jItcno
The Caldicott principles are (almost) independent of medium.
If in doubt ask your local Caldicott Guardian.
Jonathan
PS: Whenever I hear phrases such as "breaching Caldicott" I ask the
speaker to which paragraph they are referring. This also works for
"Data Protection' and "Health and Safety".
On 22 Nov 2004, at 12:22, Heather Thornes wrote:
> Does anyone know of any guidelines about mailing pathology reports in
> the Royal Mail? We have used this service without concern, but whilst
> trying to make arrangements for transferring our Maternal Serum Serum
> service to another lab, the AnteNatal management are concerned about
> breaching Caldicott and think reports should only be sent by Special
> Delivery. I'm afraid electronic transmission of reports is not an
> option yet!
>
> Heather
>
> H.M.Thornes
> Consultant Clinical Scientist
> University Hospitals of N.Tees & Hartlepool
> Stockton-on-Tees
> TS19 8PE
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