Spotlight On Data Protection Issues In The Health Sector

Technology and all things digital have been front and centre within the health sector recently. There has been a real focus on making use of technology to improve care, as well as to try and realise efficiencies and make cost savings.

We've recently seen NHS Digital's roll-out of the new NHS app, on which we provided information governance advice and support. The app provides a simple and secure way for patients across England to access healthcare services on their smartphone or tablet, allowing patients to view their health records, book GP appointments, as well as confirm their data sharing and organ donation preferences. The app has the potential to revolutionise healthcare, by making services more accessible to patients and allowing them to update their data preferences at the touch of a button.

The outcome of the Topol Review has also been published, which considers how technological and other developments (such as including genomics, artificial intelligence, digital medicine and robotics) are likely to impact health and social care staff. The focus is on preparing the healthcare workforce for these digital changes. The review reiterated the importance of ensuring that a legally enforceable and effective data governance framework is in place, and that any data sharing is responsible and ethical.

We also saw the publication of the NHS Long Term Plan earlier this year. As envisaged by the Topol Review, the broad vision is to make digitally-enabled care mainstream across the NHS. Alongside the Government's Code of Conduct for Data-driven Health and Care, published towards the end of 2018, this should be seen as a consistent aspiration to embrace the benefits of...