The NCRI has consulted widely to understand the perspective of cancer researchers on the topic of using health data for cancer research.
This includes work on understanding researchers’ experiences when accessing health data for research and meeting with nominated health data experts from each of the NCRI Groups. In addition, NCRI’s response to the government’s 10-year cancer plan for England further highlights current barriers to effectively using health data for cancer research and to improve patient care.
In 2021, the Department of Health and Social Care asked Professor Ben Goldacre to undertake a review of the use of health data for research. The review has now been published and is available here.
In our response to the Goldacre Review, we outline key comments and recommendations raised by experts in health data research. We recommend that these insights from the cancer research community should be utilised by policymakers, data organisations and other key stakeholders to jointly develop a cancer data strategy that will align with the final Data Saves Lives strategy and underpin the 10-year cancer plan.