CAG Chair Tony Calland MBE steps down

I’ve worked with Tony for almost 6 years, and it has been a privilege to work with Tony during this time. Tony has had an unmatched dedication to the role, as seen by his willingness to always go the extra mile and voluntarily giving countless hours to cooperate with other key partners, support applicants during the process, and closely work with all of us at the HRA.

Not only has he taught me the value of patient information and the importance in maintaining public trust, on a personal level he has shown me the importance of humility, respect and friendship in the workplace. I wish him well with his newfound free time and look forward to a seamless transition with Lorna.

It is now fifteen years since I first became involved in the CAG, or the Ethics and Confidentiality Committee (ECC) as it was known at that time. The committee decisions required then have been much refined over the years- to reflect greater efficiency, but also to follow the very rapidly changing technical processing of confidential data.

Most applications in the time of the ECC were for the processing and linkage of relatively small datasets for both research and NHS management. Today, processing of datasets containing the confidential data for tens of millions of patients is not unusual but also, we are at the cusp of a data revolution with the advent of AI.

During my 8 years as Chair of CAG, the speed of change has been remarkable, but I suspect this progress will seem pedestrian once AI technology becomes embedded as routine.

With this new technology there will be huge benefits, but with those benefits will come risks. These risks need to be acknowledged, with a need for a clear plan to ensure a well-defined and coordinated approach to the safe use of patient information, which I hope to see with the Health Data Research Service.

We also need to remember the Caldicott Principles- although designed in the data equivalent of the age of steam, as far as the individual patient is concerned, they are still very relevant today. Those in government, research and NHS management should continue to recognise that having access to a patient medical record when providing no direct care service to that patient is a privilege.

CAG’s primary purpose to allow scrutinised access to identifiable data without consent is a fine balance. We must maintain transparency in the use and de-identification of patient information, to ensure that the public continue to trust the system and allow their medical records to be used for the greater public good.

The CAG committee, a wonderful blend of experts and lay people, are a fine example of voluntary teamwork which allow the wheels of science and research to keep turning. They are supported by HRA staff who have considerable expertise in data governance and ensure the efficient organisation of the committee and the work.

It has been an honour and a delight to have had the opportunity to lead this small but very important part of the research world.

I am sure that Lorna as the new chair, her chair team, the committee and the HRA confidentiality advice team will continue to work hard to protect the integrity of medical research in the future

It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead the Confidentiality Advisory Group at such an important time.

There are major changes ahead in how confidential patient data are being accessed and used with the development of the Health Data Research Service and associated regulatory reform. As an independent committee with a role in advising the HRA, the Secretary of State for Health and NHS England, I hope that CAG can have a role is shaping these changes whilst continuing to balance public interest, patient confidentiality and importantly maintaining public trust to enable the safe use of data to improve health and care for everyone.