Implied consent and NHS patient electronic records

Implied consent and NHS patient electronic records

Funded by Loughborough University Faculty of Science Small Grant

Project investigators: Dr J Harrison and Dr A Warren

Duration: July 2007 - present

Description

This study, funded by Loughborough University, aims to assess the practicality of the implied consent model. It is seeking to:

a. Identify the characteristics of an effective implied consent model, and the role it plays in permitting sharing of sensitive patient data;
b. Understand the Department of Health’s interpretation of implied consent with regard to the transferring of patient records to the NHS data spine;
c. Gain NHS managerial perspectives on the benefits and potential drawbacks to the use of implied consent in this context;
d. Gauge patient awareness, and understanding, of the use of implied consent to upload their sensitive personal data on the NHS data spine;
e. Inform development of best practice guidelines and to inform the basis of a larger national study.

The authors will interview approximately NHS managers and hold focus groups comprising patients with diverse healthcare needs in Leicestershire. The study seeks to provide an objective examination of this salient policy issue. The authors intend to develop this research as part of a wider study into the use of implied consent to permit the sharing of sensitive patient data across the broader health and social care sector throughout England. The larger study would involve input from national policy-makers.

Contact:
Dr Adam Warren
Department of Information Science
Holywell Park Campus
Loughborough University
Leicestershire
LE11 3TU
Email: A.P.Warren@lboro.ac.uk