David Cameron to outline NHS data-sharing plans

Private healthcare firms could be given access to anonymous NHS patient records under new government proposals to be outlined by David Cameron.

The prime minister is set to unveil the plans today (December 5th 2011) which aim to improve links between the health service and the life science sector and give patients faster access to new treatments.

Ministers believe that Britain can become a world leader in life sciences if current regulation can be relaxed, thereby providing a welcome boost to the economy. The industry currently has an annual turnover of approximately 50 billion pounds and employs 160,000 people across 4,500 companies.

A government spokesman said: "All necessary safeguards would be in place to ensure protection of patients' details – the data will be anonymised and the process will be carefully and robustly regulated."

Mr Cameron's speech is also expected to include plans for an 'early access' scheme allowing seriously ill patients to obtain new drugs before they are fully licensed.