House of Commons Research Briefing updated 14 April 2020
- House of Commons Library briefing on access to patient health records, electronic patient records, NHS data security, and the use of confidential information by the NHS.
- This paper has been updated to include relevant information on sharing patient information during the coronavirus outbreak. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, issued new guidance on 20 March 2020 under Regulation 3(4) of the Health Service Control of Patient Information Regulations 2002, allowing NHS England to process confidential information relating to patients if it is for a “Covid-19 Purpose and will be processed solely for that Covid-19 Purpose”. This is in force until 30 September 2020.
