The coming decades could see a revolution in healthcare through better use of patient data. From informed preventative strategies, AI augmented diagnostic tools and more personal treatment plans, there are opportunities to improve health care and services across the NHS.
However, when polled, the public regularly put their personal health information at the top of a list of data they consider most private. In other words, the same data that could fuel vital breakthroughs in medical care and public health strategies is that which demands the greatest care in its handling, management and provision.
With the potential for public benefit so significant, we need to move beyond reducing this issue to a clash between privacy and security, and medical innovation. Instead, we must find the right balance, maintaining patient trust whilst still leveraging the awesome power of data to revolutionise healthcare and medicine for the benefit of all.
At Imperial Lates: Beautiful Data, BBC Digital Planet’s Ghislaine Boddington will host a panel including Imperial College London’s Dr Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye and Stephen Docherty, Industry Executive for Health at Microsoft UK. Together they will discuss:
- The potential for innovation, and concerns around privacy that have accompanied efforts to make better use of patient data within our National Health Service.
- A critique of the strategies for maintaining patient trust in the use of their data – from data anonymisation to the appointment of the first National Data Guardian for Health and Social Care
- Future legal issues we may face around data ownership and patient rights as we strive towards a sustainable, transparent patient-centred approach to healthcare
This event is organised in collaboration with The Forum, Imperial’s policy engagement programme. The Forum connects Imperial researchers with policy-makers to discover new thinking on global challenges.
About Imperial Lates
Imperial Lates celebrate the latest in science and engineering at Imperial College London – bringing the public together with world-leading minds in their respective fields.
A perfect evening’s entertainment for adults of all ages and backgrounds. Anyone with a curious mind is welcome to get hands-on with our research, brought to life through live demonstrations, creative workshops, interactive experiments and inspiring talks.
Pick the brains of the people behind the ideas, innovations and breakthroughs to discover how their work could impact our society and change our futures. Throw in a bar and some of the world’s most extraordinary and pioneering scientists and engineers and you have the recipe for a free, fun and engaging night out in the heart of London.