Big data and the NHS – we have the ­technology, but we need patient and professional engagement

The potential promise of ‘big data’ in the NHS has not been overhyped. However, cyber security and linkage attacks remain ongoing concerns, and previously damaging projects, such as care.data and the Royal Free's collaboration with google DeepMind, have raised concern among patient groups. We must use technology itself to minimise these risks, while publicising the good news stories and the positive case for using patient data in research. ‘#Datasaveslives’ is a national campaign, launched by the Farr Institute in 2014, that aims to spread the importance of our duty to share patient data for the benefits of health outcomes. 2018 is an incredibly important year for the future of data sharing. We urge our colleagues to join the campaign by sharing stories online with #Datasaveslives to promote how learning from patient data helps improve healthcare for us all.