Health officials ordered to improve how they keep records
The Department of Health has been ordered to improve how it keeps official records, amid concerns over its handling of Freedom of Information requests.
By Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent
It is the second time that the department has been reprimanded for failing to meet its FOI obligations.
Last April the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) criticised the department for its inability to find some records, blanket refusals to release data and withholding of entire documents.
The latest recommendation comes after an investigation by the National Archives (TNA) into how the department keeps information.
The TNA found that while there was good guidance there was a lack of consistency across the department.
Gerrard Tracey, the Assistant Information Commissioner, said: "Existing guidance states that good records management should be seen as a benefit, not a burden.
"All organisations, public and private, are advised to have good records management as part of achieving business efficiency, by making sure that information is easily retrieved and properly documented."
In a statement the ICO said that it recognised that the Department was already working to improve its records management.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said that it was giving "high priority" to raising awareness and monitoring compliance with the policies.
"The Department takes its responsibilities for effective information management seriously," he added.
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