Lord Carlile of Berriewasked Her Majesty's Government.:
What steps have been taken to ensure the continuity of provision by the National Health Service of information useful in epidemiological and pharmaceutical research, having regard to the provisions of current data protection legislation. [HL940]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health is working in partnership with the General Medical Council and the Information Commissioner to ensure that all parts of the National Health Service178WA have a clear understanding of how data protection legislation affects them. Work is also under way to help health service bodies to satisfy their obligation under the Data Protection Act 1998 and to develop options for anonymising patient information to minimise restrictions in its use.
Where key activity appears to be a risk due to systems and processes currently being unable to meet required standards, Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 provides a basis in law for information to be used subject to appropriate standards.
Lord Carlile of Berriewasked Her Majesty's Government:
What research is being carried out or funded by the National Health Service into the development of health information, with particular regard to the production of anonymised information for beneficial use in epidemiological and pharmaceutical research. [HL941]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health has commissioned work, which should be completed by March 2002, to identify options for anonymising patient information and to identify appropriate ways of extracting such information from National Health Service systems to support a wide range of uses.