On 2 July 2026, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care published a new report exploring public views on linking health data with information held by other public services. The findings are based on a national public engagement programme involving more than 2,000 people, alongside workshops and discussions with a wide range of communities across England.
The report looks at when people think it is appropriate to link health data with information such as housing, education or benefits data, and what safeguards should be in place to protect privacy and maintain trust. Participants said there should be clear public benefit, strong security, transparent decision-making and clear information about how data is used.
The findings are particularly relevant to the national Secure Data Environment (SDE) programme. The report recommends that data linking and access should take place within accredited Secure Data Environments, with robust governance, oversight and security controls in place.
For the Thames Valley and Surrey Secure Data Environment (TVS SDE), the report reinforces the importance of the principles that underpin our work. As part of the national network of SDEs, TVS SDE provides a secure way for approved researchers to access health data for research and innovation that can improve patient care, services and health outcomes, while protecting privacy and maintaining public trust.
The report includes recommendations on governance, transparency, public involvement and communications, helping to shape how health and care data is used in the future.
