The Lancashire and South Cumbria Data Access Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving research applications requesting access to health data. Its members include clinical and managerial representatives from data-controlling organisations, information governance specialists (including Caldicott Guardians and data protection officers), academic experts, and patient and public representatives.

Key Functions of the Committee:

• Managing Data Access Requests
  • Reviewing and approving applications from organisations seeking access to the data.
• Ensuring Compliance
  • Verifying that all applications meet Information Governance requirements, including GDPR, the common law duty of confidentiality, Caldicott Principles, data minimisation, and public benefit standards.
• Patient and Public Involvement
  • Ensuring that applicants have meaningfully engaged with patients and the public in the design of their research.
• Assessing Applicant Readiness
  • Confirming that individuals and organisations have met all necessary conditions for data access.
• Technical Assurance
  • Checking that data specifications are accurate, technology requirements are met, and data is minimised to fit the specific needs of each project.
• Process Oversight & Development
  • Monitoring and refining the approval process in response to changes in national policy or data-sharing agreements, with escalation to the Information Governance Sub-committee when needed.

This rigorous approach ensures that health data is accessed responsibly, securely, and in ways that benefit the public.