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<p>The Government is committed to ensuring the health and care system in England realises
the full benefits of sharing data in a safe, secure and legal way and is developing
a simple, accessible way for patients to opt out of sharing their data for reasons
other than their individual care and treatment.</p><p> </p><p>Recognising that sharing
information and data offers immense potential to improve the National Health Service
and social care system, unlock new treatments and medical breakthroughs, and improve
our and others lives, we are keen to ensure these benefits are understood by the public.</p><p>
</p><p>It is crucial, if data and information is to be used effectively to support
better health and care outcomes that the public has trust and confidence that there
are strong safeguards in place to protect their data from inappropriate use.</p><p>
</p><p>The Government has committed to put the role of the National Data Guardian
on a statutory footing. This function will work to ensure that citizens’ confidential
information is safeguarded securely whilst being used legally and transparently.</p><p>
</p><p>The Government is also committed to supporting innovation and improvement through
the safe and secure use of data from the health and care system. NHS Digital is the
trusted national provider of high-quality information, data and IT systems for health
and social care, with a statutory duty in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to
assure the quality of all the data it collects, publishes and makes available, under
strict controls, to the research community.</p><p> </p><p>At present a wide range
of data are collected from the NHS to support a range of secondary uses including
within the research community. Recognising the value and importance of this data,
NHS Digital has made a number of commitments to the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy.
These include leading, alongside NHS England and Health Data Research UK, the development
of Local Care Record exemplars and regional Digital Innovation hubs. The hubs will
create controlled environments for real-world clinical studies and the comprehensive
evaluation of new innovations so that patients can benefit from scientific breakthroughs
much faster.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, NHS Digital has set out national standards
and approaches for data and interoperability and sponsors the Professional Records
Standards Body to define the standards needed for good care records which are the
foundation of strong data for research.</p><p> </p><p>To support researchers understanding
of the data access environment, NHS Digital is also rolling out a series of Roadshows
for Researchers which will take place throughout the winter.</p>
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