A National Confidentiality and Security Advisory Body will be established to provide advice to local 'guardians' of patient confidentiality - appointed in the wake of the Caldicott report - and promote best practice on the confidentiality of patient information. It will also advise ministers and NHS bodies on a wide range of confidentiality and security issues. Junior health minister Gisela Stuart said: 'Patients have the right to expect the NHS to maintain the highest standards of propriety in handling their confidential records. This new body will ensure that there is national guidance on how that is done and ensure best practice. '