The NHS Data Sale: A New Opportunity for the UK’s Biotechnology and AI Industry
3 min read
The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom is one of the most valuable assets the country possesses. With a single-payer system and a wealth of data, the NHS presents a unique opportunity for the UK to harness a new industrial revolution in biotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI). Sir Tony Blair and Lord Hague, former political rivals, have recently called for the sale of anonymized NHS data to boost public services and research in this field.
The potential of the NHS data for creating a thriving bioscience industry is immense. Sir Tony Blair, the former Labour PM, believes that the UK can achieve higher economic growth by building the business sectors for the future. He emphasizes that bioscience and AI are key areas to focus on. The NHS, with its vast amount of data, can provide the foundation for this industry to flourish.
The NHS has already begun experimenting with AI, as seen in the collaboration between University College London academics and Moorfields Eye Hospital in London with Google’s DeepMind. This partnership led to the development of an AI system capable of predicting heart attacks, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease in patients. Furthermore, the potential for creating personalized “AI doctors” for every person in Britain is significant. AI could monitor all NHS patients via smartwatches and mobile phones, alerting doctors to potential issues.
However, previous NHS data-sharing schemes have faced controversy. In 2017, the Information Commissioner found that the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust did not adequately safeguard 1.6 million people’s private medical records, which were accessed by Google’s DeepMind. DeepMind argued that the patient records were being used to help create a life-saving app, and the lawsuit brought by patients was eventually thrown out. In 2021, media platform openDemocracy took the NHS to court over a £23m contract with US tech giant Palantir.
To address these concerns, Sir Tony Blair and Lord Hague are campaigning for an overhaul of how the NHS handles data. They propose the creation of an NHS Data Trust (NHSDT) – an arm’s length body with a controlling stake owned by the NHS – to oversee and distribute anonymized NHS data for profit. Lord Hague argues that governments will need the expertise of the private sector to make the most of the data and should be allowed to earn a return on their work.
People already give away their personal data to various private companies without receiving any benefits. Creating a system where patients can control their personal data is a better way of thinking about it, according to Lord Hague. This approach would provide patients with more transparency and control over their data, which is currently scattered all over the world without their knowledge.
An overhaul of how government works may also be necessary for the UK to fully capitalize on this opportunity. Lord Hague emphasizes that unless the government is at the forefront of this change and redesigns itself for these purposes, it will be stuck with low productivity.
In conclusion, the sale of anonymized NHS data presents a massive opportunity for the UK to harness a new industrial revolution in biotechnology and AI. The potential benefits include boosting public services and research, creating personalized AI doctors, and monitoring all NHS patients via smartwatches and mobile phones. However, concerns regarding data privacy and security must be addressed through the creation of an NHS Data Trust and giving patients more control over their data. An overhaul of how government works may also be necessary for the UK to fully capitalize on this opportunity. The future of the UK’s economy and technological advancement depends on its ability to embrace this change and seize the opportunities presented by the NHS data.
