Although to do so would be illegal, NHS England has admitted that there is a risk of patient information in a new database could be identified, ComputerworldUK reports. The report highlights the planned uses of the database, which include selling datasets to companies and researchers, as well as concerns from critics who have said “although the data will be 'pseudonymised', it will only be a matter of time before identifiable patient data will be held by a number of companies across the world and patients won't be able to do anything about it.” NHS England’s analysis of the database warns patients “could be ‘re-identified’ if database data is combined with other information,” the report states. Financial Times reports the concerns have prompted a delay in the project.
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