Tim Kelsey, Chair of Dr Foster, said yesterday at a Labour Party fringe event that we need to use more anonymised personal data from public services in order to drive up quality and performance. The event, held jointly between Dr Foster Intelligence and the 2020 Public Services Trust on 30 September, was entitled "Surveillance State or Empowered Citizens: how should data be used in public services?". Joining Tim Kelsey on the platform were Will Straw, Center for American Progress and Ben Lucus, Director of 2020.
In a wide ranging speech Mr Kelsey called for greater emphasis on producing and using data from across public services. Using the example of the NHS, Mr Kelsey gave examples of where the proper use of anonymised personal data has helped save lives. He went on to say that if patients were allowed to opt-out of current NHS processes it would be to the detriment of patients and the NHS as the information became less useful.
The event triggered a broad discussion on the effective use of personal data, with a general agreement that, for example, the effective use of data can save lives and that joining up data in the right way can provide real benefits. Will Straw made the point that the term 'surveillance' had intrusive connotations and that in fact the argument should be couched in terms of deriving the greatest public good.
Dr Foster Intelligence also sponsored a Fabian Society fringe event entitled, Health and Devolution on Monday 28 September. We had some excellent speakers including Howard Stoat MP, and a wonderful chair in Denis Campbell, health correspondent at the Guardian.
Again the discussion was fascinating and covered a wide range of topics associated with devolution, including identifying the levers of power, the aspects of health that could not be controlled directly by devolved governments such as poverty and taxation, the lack of an ability to measure effectively across the health services, and the future direction of devolved health policies.
Dr Foster will be appearing at two events at the Conservative Party Conference with Reform and 2020 Public Service Trust.
Tuesday 6 October 17.30 – 18.30 Radisson Edwardian, Livingstone Room
Reform event speakers include: Stephen O'Brien MP, Shadow Minister for Health; Stephen Collier, General Counsel, BMI Healthcare; and will be chaired by Andrew Haldenby the Director of Reform. The topic is : 'Reaching a balance – a patient centred NHS'
Tuesday 6 October 6.15pm – 7.15pm - Comm Rm 2 Manchester Town Hall
The 2020 event features Margot James, Vice Chair of the Conservative Party, John Redwood MP, and Ben Lucas, Director of 2020 who will chair. We will be discussing "Surveillance State or Empowered Citizens: how should data be used in public services?"
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