If local decision-makers are to be full partners alongside researchers in the generation and use of evidence, then relevant data requirements, legal and information governance (IG), and evaluation frameworks must be geared towards local contexts and commissioning needs. By exploring these aspects within a NIHR Public Health Research and ARC—YH supported project, we produced policy and practice recommendations.
To increase public understanding and buy-in, organisations should openly publish data sharing and linkage uses and any realised public benefit. Current legal and IG frameworks permit responsible use of data – although, confusion and frustrations with current pathways exists.
Collaborations across sectors and universities should broaden, relevant skillsets should be funded to grow and merge, and there should be increased linkage of datasets to maximise the value of collected data, accessed in a secure framework allowing analysis across research and commissioning questions for public benefit.
Summarised report available here: http://dx.doi.org/10.15131/shef.data.21221606.v1
