Understanding Patient Data
Supporting conversations with the public, patients and healthcare professionals about health and care data.
Understanding Patient Data (UPD) aims to make the way patient data is used more visible, understandable and trustworthy, for patients, the public and health professionals.
UPD, hosted by The NHS Alliance, works with patient groups, charities, NHS organisations and policymakers to bring transparency, accountability and public involvement to the way patient data is used.
It focuses on data routinely collected as part of a person’s interactions with the health service, that might be used for purposes beyond individual care without explicit consent.
This data is highly useful for research and planning purposes, by NHS bodies, academics and commercial organisations, but its use can be controversial.
UPD provides objective information about how patient data is used and bring the views of patients and the public to policymakers and data holders, to ensure data is being managed and used in ways that are worthy of public trust.
Our aims and objectives
- Creating resources – we produce engaging, accessible information resources and guidance on how to talk about patient data, freely available on a CC-BY license.
- Understanding people’s views – we commission and undertake attitudes research to understand people’s views, expectations and concerns about data use, with a particular focus on minoritized or marginalised voices.
- Developing the community – we support those who work with or care about patient data through convening and partnership projects, building a network of advocates and disseminating good practice.
- Influencing and advocating – we translate attitudes and engagement research into insights for policy and practice (at both local and national levels). We provide advice and consultancy to those who are making decisions about data use, encouraging them to take on board people’s questions and concerns to build more trustworthy systems for managing and using data.
- Communications and media – we provide advice and commentary to journalists and others seeking to understand the key issues about data, to promote more balanced reporting.
- Conference
WelshConfed26: Iechyd a gofal yng Nghymru: os nad nawr, pryd?
3 - 4 November 2026In-person
Mae Cynhadledd ac arddangosfa Flynyddol Conffederasiwn GIG Cymru yn uno arweinwyr yn nigwyddiad iechyd a gofal Cymru eleni.
Community
Cross-sector partnerships
Digital
Improvement
Leadership
Prevention
Primary care
Workforce
- Conference
WelshConfed26: Welsh NHS Confederation Annual Conference & Exhibition
3 - 4 November 2026In-person
WelshConfed26 unites leaders at Wales' health and care event of the year.
Community
Cross-sector partnerships
Digital
Improvement
Leadership
Prevention
Primary care
Workforce
- Event
Responsible AI in NHS Communications
15 October 202610:30 - 12:00Online
Bringing together communicators from across the NHS to explore the choices, responsibilities, and safeguards needed for ethical AI use in NHS communications.
Communications
Digital
- Network
NHS Digital Leaders Forum
13 October 202610:00 - 11:30Online
This online forum is digital and innovation leaders in the NHS to explore the national landscape reflect on digital transformation and sector priorities.
Digital
Delivery and performance
Improvement
Leadership
- Conference
NICON26 Conference & Exhibition: Reset for All | Action by All
7 - 8 October 2026Online and in-person
Delivery and performance
Digital
Finance
Governance
Health inequalities
Commissioning
Communications
Leadership
Improvement
Neighbourhood health
Prevention
Primary care
Social care
Workforce
Regulation
- Insights
Introducing our new-look website
2 Sep 2026
We’re pleased to unveil a new look for the NHS Alliance website, introducing a suite of enhancements to better represent, inform and support our members, partners and stakeholders.
Digital