Ztest standard4: What are mandatory Information Standards

• Previously, public health and adult social care providers had a statutory duty to “have regard” to Information Standards but were not obliged to comply if there was a justification.

• However, the law has now changed which means both public and private health and adult social care providers will have a statutory duty to comply with any mandatory Information Standards that apply to them.

• The legislative changes will also allow for monitoring and enforcement action to be taken against private health and adult social care providers where they fail to comply.

• NHS bodies are required to comply with a mandatory Information Standard as a condition of the Provider License.

These legislative changes are part of a wider suite of reform. Forthcoming changes will also make compliance with Information Standards mandatory for providers of information technology, IT services or processing of information using IT in the provision of health care and adult social care.

This will ensure that both providers and IT suppliers are working towards a consistent set of rules – making seamless and safe information exchange possible across the health and adult social care system.