Assembling the data jigsaw, using linked patient data. Fair Processing Notice

A research project to improve healthcare for people with musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust is working with the University of Manchester on a research project to improve healthcare for people with musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis. The project aims to:

1. Accurately estimate how many people in Salford have a musculoskeletal condition. This information can help people who provide health care in Salford to understand the needs of people in Salford.
2. Develop an algorithm for predicting which patients may develop axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). This is a first step toward producing an algorithm that could help clinicians to diagnose  axSpA in less time, meaning faster access to support and treatments for patients

To do this work, the data of all patients who are over 18 and registered with a GP in Salford from 2010 onwards may be included. GP records and hospital records will need to be linked together for each individual patient during the project.

The research has approval from the Health Research Authority and Confidentiality Advisory Group, who approve the use of patient data without consent; a condition of this approval is that attempts are made to notify patients of this use of their data and offer them the opportunity to opt out. The document Assembling the data jigsaw, using linked patient data (pdf) will provide guidance on how patients can decide whether their information is utilised for this project.