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. 2023 Jan 19;23:133. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15035-w

Table 3.

Summary of priority areas for action at different levels derived from the final workshops

Level of action Actions
National level Provide/clarify legislation/legal gateways to enable data sharing
Clarifying what is meant by pseudonymisation, and the associated legal underpinnings

Address issues of funding and resourcing for data analysis

Adopt greater consistency within government departments regarding policy and messaging

Ensure compatibility in terms of drivers for data sharing between health and non-health care services
Organisational leaders

Ensure senior-level and system leadership for data sharing

Identify a dedicated staff role for data sharing and ensure there is transparency around who is in this role (e.g. transparent job title)

Leadership should avoid a default “no” to data sharing resulting from perceived risk, and consider opportunities and benefits rather than focus on risks

Organisations should take a more proactive approach, exploring local solutions, putting systems and local efforts in place to enable data sharing, and prepare for change happening

Organisational cultures need to better embrace a collective approach of working for the greater good

Ensure that organisations are not losing sight of the bigger picture, focus on clarifying the purpose of data sharing geared towards improvements for the end user

Organisational leaders should be enabled to perceive sharing as necessary for the benefit of the local population

Build on business intelligence elements in the new integrated care systems as an opportunity to break down barriers

Investigate the capacity for data analytics, level of work required and resource implications for system improvements

Those in data roles Explore locally how could or should the data machine work; for example development of integrated data architecture, data views, a system of systems approach, interoperability, or draw on a trusted research environments approach
Work together to ensure consistency across organisations
Streamline the process of making data understandable

Create links locally to know who has what information available, how and when to use it, who can use it best, and whose responsibility is it to ensure approvals

Develop a forum to have regular conversations with colleagues in other organisations

Develop minimum data standards at an organisational level
Data owners should ensure they have clarity regarding what they are able to share – understanding of the legal/IG basis
Clarify the purpose of obtaining data, while being realistic and focussing on what data is needed for a specific purpose
Work with other organisations to agree objectives and work on shared priorities
Understand and work with what is already available, ensuring potential is being realised
Understand how data sets flow in new environments (e.g. ICS, changing geographies)
Develop a central place for users of data to access which is user friendly
Those in public engagement roles Ensure that public buy in is fully considered in any changes to data sharing arrangements
Draw on organisation communication teams to promote understanding amongst the general public