IG Training

Basic IG Training

Pharmacies have to ensure that all staff who have access to confidential information have been given the opportunity to undertake IG training. There are a number of options available.

Paper-based training package: PSNC and the RPSGB have worked with DH Informatics to publish a training booklet for staff entitled, “Information Governance Training Booklet for Pharmacy Staff”. A copy if being posted to every pharmacy and PCT (Medicines Management Lead) in England on the 22nd January 2010. The training booklet can also be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

Information Governance Training Booklet for Pharmacy Staff

Additional hardcopies are available on request (while stocks last) by contacting the PSNC Office: info@psnc.org.uk.

The Information Governance Training Tool: The IG Policy team within DH Informatics in conjunction with the PSNC and RPSGB has developed an e-learning module for pharmacy staff, which is available via the online Information Governance Training Tool. This has not yet been launched but will be available online at www.connectingforhealth/igtrainingtool. The Training Tool includes a module specifically for pharmacy staff titled ‘Introduction to Information Governance’.

To access the tool, users need to set up an account and as part of the registration process users will be asked for their organisation’s ODS Code (for pharmacies, this code begins with the letter F and can be found on the submission document used to send prescriptions to NHS Prescription Services each month). The resource can also be accessed without registering by taking the ‘guest tour’. It is not necessary to have an email address to access or register for the tool.

Other options: Other equivalent training resources may also be used to meet this requirement, for example in-house training packages produced by multiple pharmacies or, where available, PCT provided training.

IG Lead Training

Thoroughly reading the IG workbook is sufficient to meet the requirement for IG Lead training.

However, an optional resource for IG Leads that want to learn more is the IG Training Tool provided by DH Informatics (www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/igtrainingtool). The tool comprises a structured e-learning programme with Introductory, Foundation and Practitioner level modules covering all aspects of IG.

There is an introductory module on IG for community pharmacies; that has been developed in conjunction with the PSNC and RPSGB. Other modules haven’t been tailored to the pharmacy setting.

To access the tool, users need to set up an account and, as part of the registration process, will be asked for their organisation’s ODS Code (for pharmacies, this code begins with the letter F and can be found on the submission document used to send prescriptions to NHS Prescription Services each month). The resource can also be accessed without registering by taking the ‘guest tour’. It is not necessary to have an email address to access or register for the tool.

DOWNLOADS: Some documents are available in PDF format, you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or later for viewing which can be downloaded from the Adobe Website

DOWNLOADS: Some documents are available in ‘Microsoft Word’ format. If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can read these documents by downloading the free 'Word Viewer'. This program can be downloaded at the Microsoft website