The Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG) has published its Annual Report for 2025-26, highlighting a successful year supporting research and other activities that use patient information to improve health and care.
CAG provides independent expert and lay advice on applications seeking support under Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006, which allows confidential patient information to be used without consent in specific circumstances. Its role is to enable important research and other activities that benefit patients and the public, while ensuring transparency and public trust remain central to the safe use of information.
Every year, CAG reviews applications that need to use confidential patient information without consent for activities such as health research and planning. During 2025-26, the group reviewed 72 full applications, 202 modifications and 472 annual reviews, and considered a further 51 applications through its precedent-set process, supporting a wide range of work designed to improve health and care for patients and the public.
The report also highlights CAG's continued commitment to providing timely advice to applicants. In 2025-26, 99% of full applications were reviewed within target, with a median review time of 27 days, well within the 60-day target.
Alongside its application review work, CAG has continued to play a significant role in the wider health data landscape. During the year, the group contributed expertise and insight to major developments including proposed changes to data opt-out arrangements, the development of the Health Data Research Service and the evolving use of Secure Data Environments, which provide approved researchers with secure access to health data while helping to strengthen safeguards and public trust.
View the CAG Annual Report for 2025-26
Paul Mills, Confidentiality Advice Service Manager"Good research depends on public trust. CAG plays a vital role in helping ensure confidential patient information is only used without consent when there is a strong justification for doing so and robust safeguards are in place.
"This year's report highlights the significant contribution CAG continues to make to enabling research and service improvement across health and care that otherwise could not happen. Through its expert and lay membership, the advice the group provides is informed by both specialist expertise and public perspectives.
"The report also demonstrates the important role CAG plays in a rapidly evolving health data landscape. As new ways of accessing and using health data continue to evolve, ensuring information is used responsibly and transparently is as important as ever."