NHS England seeks head of intelligence

NHS England is advertising for a new director of intelligence, who will be responsible for delivery of the care.data programme.

The post-holder will replace Christine Outram, NHS England’s current director of intelligence and strategy.

The job advert says the director will be responsible for the delivery of care.data, the troubled programme to expand the Hospital Episode Statistics and links them to GP and other data sets, that is on hold pending wider public consultation.

The post holder will also have oversight of NHS England’s “responsibilities for setting information standards and developing information governance policy.”

A spokesperson from NHS England told EHI that Outram is due to depart at the end of August, and the board is looking to make an appointment in the autumn.

A key part of the role will be to “lead and direct delivery of modern information knowledge services in health and care to support outcomes for patients, empower commissioning of new models of care delivery and innovation in life sciences and research.

The successful candidate will be expected to ensure NHS England’s information strategies deliver benefits realisation and that robust commissioning and governance processes are in place.

 “Whatever your sector you must demonstrate a good grasp of information governance and information standards,” says the job advert.

“Leading a world class team of data and information professionals, you will also need strong delivery and performance management skills to ensure the effective implementation of world-leading programmes such as care.data.”

The care.data programme was due to start GP extractions in March this year, but will now begin with a pilot phase. Between 100-500 GP practices will trial the programme this autumn.

The programme has been subject to sustained criticism from privacy campaigners and the media, who argued that it was not clear who the subsequent data would be released to, and that a leaflet drop to UK households did not form a good basis on which to enable them to opt-out.

As well as leading the care.data implementation, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring “data requirements of commissioners are met by developing systematic insight based processes to support identification of intelligence needs.”

The director will also develop shared worked programmes to deliver “integrated intelligence and data flows” with government and external bodies, including the HSCIC, the Care and Quality Commission, NICE and Monitor.

“You will also be responsible for delivery of NHS England’s commitment to promote data transparency to ensure accountability of services, but also to enable choice and more informed decision making by patients and citizens,” says the job advert.

Outram has been in the role since November 2012 and previously held the role as chief executive at Medical Education England.