NDG Statement on Patient Data Reflective Practice Safeguards
Summary
The National Data Guardian published a position statement on 27 November 2025 clarifying when regulated health and social care professionals in England may access confidential patient information for reflective practice purposes. The statement establishes safeguards and limits for data access, explains the application of Caldicott Principles, and underpins NHS England guidance on using information for reflective practice published the same day.
What changed
The National Data Guardian has issued a position statement establishing when regulated health and social care professionals may access confidential patient information as part of reflective practice. The statement explains that reflective practice is vital for safe, high-quality care and sets out specific safeguards and limits that apply when confidential information is accessed. It clarifies how the Caldicott Principles apply to reflective practice and how this relates to the definition of direct care in the Information Governance Review.
Healthcare providers, clinical investigators, and employers in England should familiarise themselves with this position statement and the supporting NHS England guidance. This provides clarity for staff, employers, and regulators on the appropriate use of patient data for professional development purposes, establishing the boundaries within which confidential information may be accessed for learning and quality improvement activities.
What to do next
- Healthcare providers should review the NDG position statement to understand when confidential patient information may be accessed for reflective practice
- Employers should ensure staff are aware of the safeguards and limits for accessing patient data in reflective practice
- Healthcare professionals should consult NHS England guidance that underpins this position statement
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Policy paper
Using data in reflective practice to support safe care
NDG statement on accessing confidential patient information for reflective practice, including safeguards, limits, and links to staff guidance.
From: National Data Guardian Published 27 November 2025 Last updated 3 December 2025
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Applies to England
Documents
Using data in reflective practice to support safe care
PDF, 458 KB, 19 pages
Annex: reflective practice public polling results table
PDF, 188 KB, 1 page
Details
Reflective practice is an important part of professional standards in health and social care. It helps staff to learn from their work and directly improves the safety and quality of care.
The National Data Guardian has published a position statement that explains when regulated health and social care professionals may access confidential patient information as part of reflective practice. The statement sets out:
- why reflective practice is vital for safe, high-quality care
- how it relates to the definition of direct care in the Information Governance Review
- the safeguards and limits that apply when confidential information is accessed
- how the Caldicott Principles apply to reflective practice The NDG’s position gives clarity to staff, employers and regulators. It underpins guidance developed by NHS England and published on 27 November 2025.
Updates to this page
Published 27 November 2025 Last updated 3 December 2025 show all updates
1.
3 December 2025
Added an annex document: detailed findings from a Kantar poll.
2.
27 November 2025
First published.
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