Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the decision was taken to end the care.data programme; and with whom he consulted prior to taking that decision.

On 6 July 2016, two independent reviews published recommendation about data security in the health and care system in England and a new consent/opt-out model for data sharing. These were notified to Parliament in the associated Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS62):

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2016-07-06/HCWS62/

In light of those independent reviews, NHS England has taken the decision to close the care.data programme.

The Government and the health and care system remain committed to realising the benefits of sharing information, as an essential part of improving outcomes for patients. This work will now be overseen by the National Information Board, in close collaboration with the primary care community, in order to retain public confidence and drive better care for patients.

This work will be incorporated into the Paperless 2020 programme on technology and improving patient care, in close collaboration with the primary care community.