In recent weeks, we have been asking why NHS England has refused to say whether they have written to all CCGs regarding becoming a care.data pathfinder. We still have no answer.

medConfidential has now written to all CCGs (and their corresponding Healthwatch organisations), raising “a number of issues” beyond just care.data, “which may significantly affect patients and healthcare providers within your Clinical Commissioning Group in coming months. Issues raised include:

• care.data pathfinders
• Storage of patient objections
• Respecting patient dissent
• Coerced ‘consent’

A copy of the letter is available here (footnote listing known research databases now updated, with links).

We look forward to working with CCGs as they consider the questions raised and implications for their CCG and GPs.