FOI-03660

##Request

_Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please provide the following recorded information._

_Timeframe: 1 January 2023 –-31 December 2024._

___1. Dataset extraction governance___

_Copies of any governance documents, approval forms, or policies used by NHSBSA that regulate the extraction or creation of patient encounter-level dataset extracts (sometimes referred to as “encounter slices” or equivalent subsets) from clinical or administrative systems._

___2. Approval processes___

_Copies of any standard operating procedures, guidance documents, or approval workflows that apply when NHSBSA staff create or analyse encounter-level data extracts relating to patients whose records originate from external health systems._

___3. Third-party access___

_Confirmation of whether any encounter-level dataset extracts relating to neurology patients were made available to external organisations or consultants during the above timeframe._

_Where such access occurred, please confirm:_

_•	the organisation granted access_

_•	the purpose of the dataset analysis_

_•	the governance approval process used._
 
___4. Audit controls___
  
_Copies of any guidance documents describing audit logging or monitoring controls applied when NHSBSA staff access or process encounter-level patient datasets._

_If any information is withheld, please specify the exemption relied upon._

_If the request is considered likely to exceed the cost limit under Section 12, please provide advice and assistance under Section 16 to allow the request to be refined._

On 2 April 2026 you provided the following clarification:

_I can confirm that our request relates specifically to neurology recall patients, including those reviewed as part of the Belfast Trust Neurology Recall._

_For clarity, I am not requesting any identifiable or individual patient records._

_My request concerns the handling, processing, and governance of datasets relating to this patient cohort, specifically where NHSBSA has accessed, processed, analysed, or otherwise interacted with patient encounter-level data._

_By “patient encounter-level datasets,” I refer to datasets containing records of patient interactions (e.g. prescribing, investigations, referrals, or clinical activity), whether identifiable, pseudonymised, or aggregated.
In particular, I am seeking information on:_

_•	Whether NHSBSA has processed or recoded data relating to neurology recall patients_
 
_•	The systems used to access or process such data_
 
_•	Audit logging and access controls applied_
 
_•	Monitoring or oversight mechanisms governing staff access and activity_

_•	Any policies, guidance, or instructions relating to such processing_ 

_This request is limited to governance, systems, and controls, and does not seek personal data._

##Response

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. The NHSBSA is not a NHS Trust organisation, rather we are a Special Health Authority providing back-office functions to the wider NHS. The authority is not patient-facing and we do not handle or process patient records or datasets relating to neurology recall patients. That is why we do not hold this information.


Tags: neurology recall patients
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log