SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT STRATEGY FOR RECORD LINKAGE Rob Wishart Chief Statistician

CURRENT PICTURE An increasing range of excellent projects Developments in methods and activity Growing multi-agency interest and enthusiasm Beyond 2011 All extremely positive But piecemeal……

BENEFITS FROM A STRATEGIC APPROACH Efficiency Joined-up data → joined-up analysis → joined-up policy and service delivery Input data linked with process data linked with output data → understanding outcomes

CAPITALISE ON ALL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTEGRATION AND ADVANCES IN DATA LINKAGE: IMPROVED STATISTICAL INFORMATION NO ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON DATA PROVIDERS 4. RESOURCES 1. PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND OVERSIGHT 2. LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES, PUBLIC PERCEPTION 3. TECHNICAL Growing Up in Scotland Health and Ethnicity Linkage Study ScotXed Scottish Longitudinal Study Scottish Health and Informatics platform Emergency Admissions and Social care People With Dementia

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND OVERSIGHT Need for a Steering Group Agree vision and long-term aims Co-ordinate, add impetus, but avoid prescription Establish links, step up co-ordination, seek cohesion across projects Arrange for sharing good practice & avoiding overlap

LEGAL, ETHICAL AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION Establish clear, common processes for –establishing legitimacy –Considering privacy and ethical issues –Assessing Data Access Agreements –Assessing Privacy Impact Assessments Consider need for new legislation Minimise risk of inappropriate use of data Minimise perception of inappropriateness

TECHNICAL Develop and share across projects: Expertise Data linkage mechanisms Recommended methods Standards in unique referencing IT solutions Data security Statistical disclosure control methods

NEXT STEPS Establish a Steering Group Share learning from past and current projects Build consensus around a vision Build on existing Scottish projects