Health secretary outlines new policies on NHS data sharing

The government has published new guidance aimed at ensuring that NHS patient data is shared in an effective, safe and secure manner.

Responding to the recent Caldicott review on information governance, health secretary Jeremy Hunt outlined the Department of Health's position that sharing information in the right way can help to ensure patients get the care they need, as well as to plan local health services and help scientists to research the latest drugs and treatments.

However, this must be accompanied by new guidance on sharing data securely and ensuring that health and care staff have appropriate training and education on information governance, while workers must also be open and honest if a data breach does occur, to prevent it from happening again.

Mr Hunt said: "Sharing information securely is a major part of making health services safer. Having the right information about patients means professionals can make sure they get the right care and treatment."

Efforts to improve standards in this field will be coordinated alongside the Health and Social Care Information Centre to ensure that patient information is treated with confidentiality and privacy.