New proposals would give patients “better control over their health data” | UK News

Patients will have greater control over their health and care data under new proposals, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.

People could use various apps to access their own medical information, procedures, and care plans.

They could also manage appointments, repeat prescriptions and communicate with health and care staff.

According to the DHSC, the strategy – published by the NHSX – will help clinicians make faster, better-informed decisions to offer better treatment.

Improving data collection and the way NHS systems work together would mean staff would spend less time researching information and more time caring for patients, they added.

The NHSX is a joint unit that brings together teams from DHSC, NHS England and NHS Improvement to ‘drive the digital transformation of care’, according to its website.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The pandemic has taught us that we need to be bold and the great strides we have made in vaccines and treatments during this time have been made possible by the way we let’s use the data.

“This strategy aims to give people control over their own data, while helping the NHS create a modernized 21st century system that puts patients and staff in pole position.”

Matthew Gould, chief executive of the NHSX, said: ‘Throughout the pandemic we have seen examples of data improving care and saving lives – from the speed of vaccine development to finding cures for COVID-19 .

“If we are to continue to improve care, we need to transform the way we use data.

“Patients need to own their data, have access to their data and have confidence in the way the NHS treats it on their behalf.

“This strategy takes this agenda firmly forward and is good news for patients, staff, citizens and all who care about the future of the NHS.”

Announcing the new strategy, the NHSX said there would also be a “new duty to share anonymous data securely and appropriately across the …