National Data Strategy: Consultation Response

Data as the lifeblood of digitisation

Data has always been central to the effective operation and governance of the economy and society, but it has rarely been treated as a discrete topic of interest to policymakers, businesses, and the wider public. Yet this summer, as one isolated example, there were crowds on a British street shouting “Death to the Algorithm” in the context of A-Level exam results. Digitisation is now moving the conversation on data from the edges of politics and the economy to the centre. The UK’s National Data Strategy is a timely effort to focus and direct reform.

The internet is increasingly joining up our cars, our phones and homes, making them more digital. The way we shop, the way we work, the way we relax are all more dependent on digital technologies. Data is the lifeblood of digitisation. But a second aspect of digitisation is less well understood. While paper processes are being transformed, the ability to collect, store, move, share, and combine data through digitised processes creates new opportunities - for good and for ill.

This year, Kainos and Faculty have worked closely with the Government through COVID-19, both individually and in partnership. Kainos has helped clinicians at Trusts quickly identify COVID-19 patients and easily capture and share relevant information. This, in turn, facilitated the creation of new COVID-19 specific patient alerts to be dynamically generated as clinicians enter or update patient-specific clinical information. At a national level, Kainos is working with NHS Digital on initiatives such as the deployment of the online isolation note service and the NHS App.

However, data has also been used to enable actions and activities that have been more concerning, both in the UK and internationally.

While Faculty and Kainos are technology companies, they believe the use of data should always be rooted in moral purpose, not merely technological potential.

We wholeheartedly welcome this National Data Strategy consultation, which provides the UK with the opportunity to adjust and clarify rights and responsibilities around data, assure the trustworthiness and legitimacy of data use, and earn a high return on its investment in our national data infrastructure. This “Data Transformation” called for by the National Data Strategy will extend the Digital Transformation revolution initiated by the UK government in 2010 - and the gains are potentially bigger. Providing clear guidelines and protections around the use of data will both protect citizens and allow the UK to use data to its full potential. If we get these reforms right, we will not only increase productivity, create jobs, and improve public services, the UK will also lead the world in having done so.