Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
DHSC acknowledged that there are advantages with NHS data systems—such as having large amounts of...
Conclusion
DHSC acknowledged that there are advantages with NHS data systems—such as having large amounts of data—and disadvantages, for example challenges in connecting and using legacy systems.24 We asked NHS Digital what would help to identify patients earlier. NHS Digital told us this would require a technical solution, faster access to GP data would help, while ensuring that the general practice which collects the data is comfortable with how it will be used. NHS Digital also suggested that government invest in the digitisation of hospital records, noting that primary care data has been digitised, and is now a richer source of information than hospital data.25 Local variation in the extent to which people were added to the Shielded Patient List
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
2.3 Work is already underway on this. NHS Digital has developed a strategic national GP dataset alongside the profession. This will allow faster access to GP information that will be more regularly updated and more complete than current data sources. NHSX and NHS Digital are also working together on plans to digitise the health service and to deliver comprehensive shared care records. 2.4 The above developments will be set out in a data strategy for health and social care that the government will shortly publish in draft. The strategy will contain a number of additional commitments reducing or removing structural, technical and cultural barriers, to enable quick and secure access to patient data where appropriate.