NHS England scraps care.data project

Decision follows recommendation from the National Data Guardian for Health and Care

NHS England has scrapped the controversial care.data project, after the National Data Guardian for Health and Care, Fiona Caldicott, recommended better safeguards for the sharing of patient data.

However, the government and NHS England remain determined to continue data sharing health information.

Minister for Life Sciences, George Freeman MP, said today: "In light of Dame Fiona's recommendations, NHS England has taken the decision to close the care.data programme.

"However, the government and the health and care system remain absolutely committed to realising the benefits of sharing information, as an essential part of improving outcomes for patients.

"Therefore this work will now be taken forward by the National Information Board, in close collaboration with the primary care community, in order to retain public confidence and to drive better care for patients."

The programme has been questioned by doctors and privacy campaigners since its inception, with concerns around how sensitive medical data of citizens would be shared to commercial companies without explicit consent.

There have also been questions around the general awareness of the programme - with many people not knowing what it was, and how they could opt-out of the project.

The NHS spent about £1m on a project to send out leaflets to inform citizens, despite an Independent Information Governance Oversight Panel (IIGOP) informing the NHS that the leaflests were "not fit for purpose" before they were rolled out.

In November, further controversy was caused when it was found that HSCIC could still be releasing the data of patients who had opted out of care.data.