Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to encourage the (a) sharing and (b) linking of health and care data; when he expects the hospital episodes statistics database and GP-level data to be linked; and if he will make a statement.

The National Information Board framework for action Personalised Health and Care 2020 published 13 November 2014 confirms local systems will publish detailed plans by April 2016, outlining how they will ensure by 2020 information and data can be comprehensively shared between all settings of care.

NHS England has confirmed that there will be a phased roll out for the care.data programme, starting with up to 265 general practitioner(GP) practices. It is envisaged that data will be extracted from pathfinder practices early in 2015. This will only take place once the Independent Information Governance Oversight Panel, chaired by Dame Fiona Caldicott, has agreed to this and advised the care.data Programme Board and Senior Responsible Owner on the first phase of the programme. No data will be extracted from GP practices as part of the care data programme until Dame Fiona has advised the Secretary of State for Health that she is satisfied with the proposals and safeguards.