Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2014, Official Report, column 43W, on medical records: databases, whether his Department plans any procurement in connection with care.data.

NHS England is currently planning to procure an agency to conduct research with the public and stakeholder groups to inform communications and engagement activity with those audiences for the care.data programme.

Should a contract be let which is in relation to, or in support of, care.data the procurement of those goods and/or services will be compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2006, as amended. Any procurement would be aligned with applicable government policies and shall ensure best practice is followed, including a robust evaluation of bidders against objective criteria.