Health Data: Research and Analysis

Lord Scriven Excerpts

Wednesday 15th May 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

I am not aware that GPs are withholding such important data. If the noble Lord knows of any evidence, I ask him to let me know. I reassure the noble Lord, and indeed the House, that the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS in England have committed to transforming how NHS health and social care data is made available for secondary uses. Secure data environments allow data to be accessed for research in secure systems without people’s identifiable information being seen or the data having to be sent between individuals. If the noble Lord has any specific cases, I ask him please to write to me.

[Lord Scriven (LD)]

My Lords, the NHS dataset has been allocated to raise over £5 billion per annum by commercial organisations, if used appropriately. What provision are the Government making to ensure that the public also benefit from this £5 billion by potentially setting something up that is equivalent to a sovereign wealth fund to be invested for public use, particularly for health?

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

The noble Lord knows how to run a hospital, and I pay tribute to the work that he has done. On the point about a sovereign wealth fund, I shall take it back to the department—but this strategy will give the public greater access to and control over their own records. Healthcare staff will have easy access to the right information, and social care leaders and policymakers will have data to make effective decisions —so the noble Lord will know that the strategy will benefit all those who work in the NHS, but particularly it benefits patients in the United Kingdom.