Executive Summary

This report sets out the initial conclusions from the Office for Statistics Regulation’s (OSR) Review of NHS Digital’s data sharing and access processes, and the areas that will now be subject to further review.

Enabling users to access data is one of the key ways that statistics producers can meet the Code of Practice for Statistics’ expectations to fulfil the potential of the data they hold.

The areas we will be focusing on have been identified following conversations with users of English health data about their experiences of accessing data from NHS Digital.

We have identified some actions that OSR and NHS Digital can take now to address user concerns without needing further exploration.

The main objective of the next stage of the Review is to identify ways to ensure that the full potential of NHS Digital’s data can be realised. It will address two areas:

  • How can users with innovative or complicated proposals be supported to access health data in England?
  • How can data users and NHS Digital work together to improve data quality and documentation?

 

Related Links:

Ed Humpherson to Sarah Wilkinson (NHS Digital), May 2019

Joining Up Data for Better Statistics, September 2018