A new report from the UK Government has set out recommendations to improve the way the NHS utilises health data.

The findings have been published in an independent review by Bennett Professor of Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of Oxford Ben Goldacre.

Among the 185 recommendations to the government include increasing transparency and modernising software infrastructure to boost research whilst maintaining high security standards. These aim to make access to health data more efficient and safer, along with driving innovation.

Other recommendations include adopting Trusted Research Environments (TREs) as secure virtual spaces for verified researchers to access health data which will reduce the risk of data breaches.

In addition, the review recommended improving opportunities for data analysts within the NHS by modernising their job and career development, including improving salaries, training, structure, community and best practice.

It also encouraged open working for all NHS data analysis, for instance through the use of a shared library of data analysis tools, reducing duplication and increasing consistency of results.

Professor Ben Goldacre said: “NHS data is a phenomenal resource that can revolutionise healthcare, research, and the life sciences. But data alone is not enough.

“We need secure, efficient platforms – and teams with skills – to unleash this potential. This will be difficult, technical work. It is inspiring to see momentum grow for better, broader, safer use of health data across so many sectors.”

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His findings took lessons from the coronavirus pandemic, which demonstrated how health data can help drive research and improve patient outcomes and save lives. This includes aiding the discovery of dexamethasone as the first treatment for Covid-19.

Large scale data analysis enabled better understanding of patient outcomes more rapidly than previously possible. The speed and scale of this data analysis was possible through the interconnected nature of NHS systems, as well as specific legal measures to enable data access quickly.

Data also allows the NHS to continue delivering world-leading care, for instance by helping to understand whether different patient groups respond better to different treatment options, or to anticipate future demands on the healthcare system by tracking the prevalence of disease.

Goldacre’s conclusions will help shape the Health and Social Care Data Strategy, which will be published later this year to set the direction for the use of data in a post-pandemic healthcare system.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Countless lives have been saved through the pandemic after health data enabled ground-breaking research.

“As we move forwards, millions of patients could benefit from the more efficient use of health data, through boosting innovation and ensuring the NHS can continue to offer cutting-edge care, saving lives.”

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