The present RMF process has been developed to underpin statistical analysis in support of the national health and public interest response to the COVID 19 pandemic. The corresponding research and analysis are subject to and may be undertaken only in compliance with relevant statistical and health research related Regulations. CSO’s processing of data in this case is undertaken in the perspective of preparing Research Microdata Files (RMFs), pseudonymised files of statistical data, designed to support further scientific analysis in the important sphere of public health protection associated with COVID-19. In the instant case, this analysis is being undertaken in the public interest, by pre-approved Researchers who are subject to statistical, ethical and health research governance scrutiny. The processes outlined here incorporate all the data subject protections set out in DPIA 1156 and all dimensions of the DPO advice set out therein should apply in this case, also. Subject to the safeguards set out in this document, the proposed processing would appear consistent with applicable law and is designed to afford high levels of protection to the rights and freedoms of individual data subjects. CSO should have particular regard to the retention periods applied to this data, ensuring that they are consistent with the purpose of the initial RMF application and with applicable approvals under the Health Research Regulations. Periodic auditing of access via the RCU portal is recommended, in line with standard CSO procedures as is systematic review of RMF approvals in line with Office policy. It is of particular importance that any incidents of non-compliance with RMF Policy in respect of this data are immediately flagged both through RCU and Data Office. The duty of the CSO regarding the protection of data subject confidentiality is the bedrock of our work and Researcher compliance in this important sphere of medical research is fundamental, therefore ongoing supervision and output checking are essential.
Go to: Appendix 1 - Administrative Data File Names
Learn about our data and confidentiality safeguards, and the steps we take to produce statistics that can be trusted by all.