- Move will streamline data sharing processes across the NHS -
benefitting patients while ensuring rigorous data protection
safeguards remain in place
- Improved data sharing will ensure patients get more
streamlined care and can make more informed choices about how and
where they access care
Patients will benefit from more streamlined care and be able to
make more informed choices about how and where they access
treatment after plans to transform NHS data sharing were brought
forward.
The Department for Health and Social Care said the proposed
transfer of NHS Digital’s functions into NHS England which were
due to happen at the end of March 2023 would now happen in early
January 2023.
The move will create a single statutory body responsible for data
and digital technology for the NHS – meaning patients will
benefit from:
- A streamlined experience due to a reduced need to repeatedly
share information across the health system
- The ability to make more informed choices about care by
providing information about length of wait for treatment, making
waiting lists by speciality and by provider, more accessible – a
key part of Our Plan for Patients
- Easier access to electronic patient records through
accelerated digital transformation services for patients.
The move will build on the huge progress seen on digital
transformation during the pandemic, driving efficiencies across
the NHS as evidence suggests digitally mature providers are 10%
more efficient than their less digitally mature peers.
Accelerating the transfer will lead to faster improvements in
co-operation between the key digital bodies of the NHS by
bringing them under one roof for the first time. This will
ensure the health and care sector is fully equipped to face the
future and deliver for patients.
In line with commitments made to Parliament, NHS England will
provide the same protections for people’s data as NHS Digital,
whilst taking advantage of the merger to improve processes where
possible. Working closely with partners, including the
Information Commissioner and the National Data Guardian, DHSC and
NHSE will ensure there continues to be rigorous internal controls
to ensure that data is used and shared safely, securely and
appropriately to:
- deliver high-quality care
- understand and protect the health of the population
- effectively plan and improve services
- research and develop innovative treatments, vaccines and
diagnostics
Making effective use of the data collected by health and social
care services is essential to deliver high quality care, and
improving the health of the population. The transfer, which is
subject to parliamentary approval and agreement with the Devolved
Administration, will see the statutory role of NHS Digital move
to NHS England.
This is an important change to make sure that all the expertise
and activity in relation to data and digital services are
together in a single organisation and meets a key recommendation
of Laura Wade-Gery’s review: Putting
data, digital and tech at the heart of transforming the NHS.
The changes will better support the recovery of NHS services,
address waiting list backlogs, and support hardworking staff, all
while driving forwards an ambitious agenda of digital
transformation and progress.
Background information
- Following the merger, NHS Digital as a separate arms-length
body of the Department for Health and Social Care will cease to
exist.
- NHS Digital staff and assets will all transfer to NHS England
before going through the wider “Creating a New NHS England”
change programme which will ensure we retain the necessary talent
and expertise of NHS Digital.
- We set out in Data
Saves Lives how data will be used to improve care for
patients and service users, outlining how we will ensure that
the benefits and lessons learned from the response to COVID-19
are realised for the longer-term. The strategy including
building the right foundations to achieve this – and one key
action is to bring together NHS Digital and NHS England, to
provide a single statutory body for data, digital and
technology.
