Pilot schemes selected for care.data programme

The government's care.data programme has moved a step closer with the announcement that six clinical commissioning groups across four areas of the UK have been identified to take part in the 'pathfinder' stage.

Delayed by six months as a result of concerns over privacy issues, the scheme is designed to ensure patient GP and hospital data is linked, stored and shared within the NHS and, potentially, across third-party organisations.

As many as 265 surgeries comprising 1.7 million patients in Hampshire, Blackburn and Darwen, Leeds and Somerset will take part in the care.data pilot schemes. 

They will assess various methods of communicating risks and will monitor the benefits of the database, as well as preparing arrangements for opting out of the programme.

Tim Kelsey, NHS England national director for patients and information, said: "We have heard, loud and clear, that we need to be clearer about the care.data programme and that we need to provide more support to GPs to communicate the benefits and the risks of data sharing with their patients, including their right to opt out."