Understanding Patient Data [ https://www.understandingpatientdata.org.uk/ ] aims to make the way patient data is used more visible, understandable and trustworthy, for patients, the public and health professionals.
Understanding Patient Data (UPD) is a hosted organisation of the NHS Confederation in London. Their remit includes all countries of the UK and international collaborations too.
They focus on data routinely collected as part of a person’s interactions with the health service, that might be used for purposes beyond individual care without explicit consent. This data is highly useful for research and planning purposes, by health and care bodies (e.g. the NHS), academics, charities and commercial organisations, but its use can be controversial.
They provide objective information about how patient data is used and bring the views of patients and the public to policymakers and data holders, to ensure data is being managed and used in ways that are worthy of public trust.
HIFA profile: Richard Fitton is a retired family doctor - GP. Professional interests: Health literacy, patient partnership of trust and implementation of healthcare with professionals, family and public involvement in the prevention of modern lifestyle diseases, patients using access to professional records to overcome confidentiality barriers to care, patients as part of the policing of the use of their patient data Email address: richardpeterfitton7 AT gmail.com