Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Some organisations required to process information

Article summary

The Secretary of State has issued four notices under the Health Service Control of Patient Information Regulations (2002), SI 2002/1438, requiring some organisations to process information during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This initiative aims at giving NHS Digital, NHS England and Improvement, health organisations, arm’s length bodies, local authorities and GPs the support needed to share data in security and confidence in order to respond to the coronavirus crisis. By releasing patient data, it notably enables members of the public most at risk to be notified, advising them to self-isolate. Data controllers must still comply with data protection standards and ensure they operate within statutory and regulatory boundaries. The notices will be reviewed on or before 20 September 2020.