The Applied Research Collaboration Kent Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) Data Science Lead, Dr Liz Ford recently co‑chaired a national workshop at the Wellcome Collection in London as part of the DARE UK “SAFETEXT” Working Group, a programme focused on developing guidelines for the safe and responsible use of de‑identified and synthetic free‑text healthcare data in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research.
Around 80% of NHS clinical information sits in unstructured notes, letters and reports - data that is currently difficult to use for research. With £100k in funding over the next year, led by Professor Goran Nenadic at the University of Manchester, the SAFETEXT team is working to design information‑governance protocols that could support the secure, ethical use of this rich but sensitive data.
The first workshop brought together 30 information‑governance specialists, data providers, researchers and members of the public from across the UK to review current practice and begin shaping nationally implementable protocols. A second event will follow in Brighton in June, where draft recommendations will be shared for wider feedback.
Dr Liz Ford, said: “There is enormous research potential locked within NHS free‑text data, but it’s essential that we move forward in a way that protects patient privacy and earns public trust. This workshop marked a really important step in co‑designing practical, nationally consistent information‑governance approaches that will enable safe and responsible innovation.”
