Written question WQ82527
- Asked by
- Paul DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 12 days
Question
Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's policy on the sharing of patient records with third parties, as is being done by NHS England?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
The changes to the way that GP patient records are being collected and held centrally which have been publicised in the media only apply in England. More information about England’s approach to General Practice Data for Planning and Research can be found here.
The potential benefits of holding GP records and other NHS data centrally also apply in Wales. For example, it would enable early identification of health problems for individuals, support better planning and delivery of health services, and provide a platform for health research. Large scale data is essential if we are to make use of artificial intelligence and other new digital analytics technologies.
In Wales, we have robust and well-regarded arrangements in place for third parties to gain secure access to health data through the SAIL Databank (Secure Anonymised Information Linkage). This is a world-class flagship for the secure storage and use of anonymised person-based data for ethical research purposes.
SAIL Databank information is robustly anonymised and is not ‘live’ data, so it cannot be used by health professionals to help plan care pathways or treatment for individual patients, nor can it identify patients at higher risk to help prevent illness or to inform them of health concerns (such as for the Covid-19 shielding list). It is also not possible to use the SAIL Databank information to provide patients with access to clinical trials, where treatments may benefit them.
To make health and care data available to those who need it within the NHS, Welsh Government is investing in the development of the National Data Resource (NDR). The NDR is a major digital transformation programme which will make it easier to join-up health and care data from various sources, for use within the health and care service in Wales. There are a number of benefits to sharing health data, and we are currently working with our stakeholders to help make better use of the health data we hold.
Confidentiality of patient records and overall security of personal data will continue to be our priority. We are committed to being transparent about privacy and the use of data, and engaging with patients and the public as we develop our proposals and next steps in Wales.