Good Records Good Management foreword

Good Management Good Records is the Department’s advice and guidance on records management. It includes a retention and disposal schedule, prepared in accordance with the Public Records Act (NI) 1923 and the Disposal of Documents Order 1925. It covers all records created by the Department, Public Safety and HSC Organisations, as well as those working under contract to the HSC.

Foreword

Good Management Good Records (GMGR) has been published by the Department of Health (DoH) as a guide to the required standards of practice in the management of records for the DoH, those who work within or under contract to Health and Social Care (HSC) and public safety.

  • DoH
  • HSC Board
  • Public Health Agency (PHA)
  • Business Services Organisation (BSO)
  • HSC Trusts
  • Patient and Client Council (PCC)
  • Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)
  • Guardian AD Litem Agency
  • Blood Transfusion Service
  • Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service
  • Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)
  • Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery (NIPEC)
  • Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA)
  • Independent Contractors (e.g. general practitioners (GPs), dentists, orthodontists, optometrists and community pharmacists)
  • Early Years Services; Establishments and Agencies where public funds are involved

For the purposes of this document those mentioned above will be referred to as (organisation/organisations).

It is based on professional best practice and reflects the current legal requirements.  It is not an authoritative statement of the law, neither does it explain nor replace the law and in cases of doubt organisations should take legal advice.  Where legal proceedings have commenced records should be retained and specific legal advice sought.

It was drafted by a working group made up of representatives from the DoH, the Department of Finance(DoF), the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) the HSC Regional Records Management Working Group and Public Safety.

GMGR provides a key component of information governance arrangements for the DoH, HSC and Public Safety.  As standards and practice will change over time, especially with the evolving growth of technology, GMGR will be reviewed and updated as necessary.  

Good Records, Good Records Guidance Section – pdf version

Back to top