Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is joining a growing group of like-minded organisations working together to realise the benefits of using health data for research and innovation for public benefit.

MFT is one of six new data custodians joining the UK Health Data Research Alliance, an independent alliance of leading healthcare and research organisations united to establish best practice for the ethical use of UK health data for research at scale. Members come from across the healthcare and research sector, including the NHS, medical research charities, academia, health data research hubs and AI Centres of Excellence.

By the end of January 2022, the alliance will publish its recommendations for a consistent standard for Data Use Registers; and launching the service that puts these principles into practice, allowing Alliance members to host and manage their Data Use Registers via the Innovation Gateway.

Professor Jane Eddleston, Group Joint Medical Director at MFT, said: “Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to become a member of the Health Data Research Alliance, allowing us to work with member colleagues to share best practice and learning, and fully realise the value of the data we hold to improve treatments, experiences, and outcomes for our communities.”

MFT is the largest NHS trust in England and a leading provider of specialist healthcare services.