Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with the Scottish Government to facilitate data sharing and improve access to clinical trials in Scotland.

The Department works together with other Government departments and devolved administrations to support research and access to clinical trials across the United Kingdom. Our long-term vision, set out in 'Saving and Improving Lives: The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery' was developed in collaboration with the devolved administrations and is in line with similar initiatives in England and the devolved administrations.

To gain a better understanding of how health-related data flows in the UK, Professor Cathie Sudlow has been commissioned to conduct a review.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, runs the Be Part of Research service in collaboration with all the devolved administrations. Be Part of Research makes it easier for the public to find and take part in health and care research. The NIHR is also striving to improve diversity in research by analysing the demographics of participants in randomized controlled trials. The findings show that the participants' diversity, age, and gender are representative of the general population.

The NIHR is dedicated to enhancing and investing in the talent pool of researchers in clinical trials. It has implemented measures to address under-representation and improve diversity. These measures include encouraging applications from diverse groups through positive action statements and expanding nomination processes for research fellowships to address under-representation based on gender and ethnicity.