BOLTON West MP Chris Green Chris Green has warned the government it must improve protections or patient data if the UK is to stay at the cutting edge of medical research.

He staged as special Westminster debate on 'Innovation in the NHS'.

The Conservative backbencher told health minister Nadine Dorries: "Unlocking the potential of patient data is key to driving forward research and innovation.

"The NHS is a rich and unique source of patient data, but public trust and confidence in the use of data is vital.

"The public need to feel that they can trust ​the health system to share their information with care and confidence. People want to share their data, but they want to be confident that when their data is being shared, it will be used in the right way by the right organisations.

"People are not necessarily hugely concerned by the private sector having access to their data, but they need more confidence in anonymity. If the public do not trust the system, they will be unwilling to share their data for research."

Mrs Dorries said: "We are developing a policy framework which will address key concerns of the public such as robust governance."