§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for health (1) what arrangements she has made to protect patient anonymity in the collection of medical records for statistical purposes in the area of(a) mental health, (b) cancer and (c) other categories;
(2) what consultations she has had with the Data Protection Registrar concerning the future protection of patient anonymity in the collection of data from medical records for statistical purposes in the area of (a) mental health, (b) cancer and (c) other categories.
§ Mr. SackvillePatient information is confidential.
Information given by patients concerning their health and treatment is protected by the common law, the Data Protection Act 1984 and the ethical responsibilities of health professionals. This applies even when the information is anonymised and aggregated.
We have recently consulted on draft guidance for the national health service on "Confidentiality, Use and Disclosure of Personal Health Information" which includes advice on the use of anonymised/aggregated information. Prior to the consultation we had a number of meetings and discussions with the Data Protection Registrar.
We have since received comments from the Data Protection Registrar on the use and disclosure of personal health information, which are being considered.