Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the meeting of the Advisory Group on Data (AGD) on 11 January, what discussions they have had with NHS England regarding AGD’s request that the version control on its draft Terms of Reference be updated to reflect the full circulation of the document, and the timing of such circulation.

The Department has had no discussions with NHS England regarding the July 2023 meeting of the Data, Digital and Technology Committee, or regarding the Advisory Group for Data’s (AGD) request that the version control on its draft terms of reference be updated to reflect the full circulation of the document, as well as the timing of the circulation.

The role of the advisory group is set out within the statutory guidance issued by the Department, in NHS England’s protection of patient data. We understand that the terms of reference for the AGD are currently in draft, with version control reflecting formal drafts as issued. NHS England, through the Privacy, Transparency and Trust team in the Delivery Directorate, has received feedback on the drafts, which will be published in due course following approval by, or on behalf of, the NHS England board.