Data Store and Platform - Future Changes
The information governance, DPIA and Privacy Notice documents need to be revised, adhered to and published for the data store and platform to ensure that the initiative is lawful, transparent and is processing the data in a safe way. This would then enable a broader use of the store and platform for BAU planning purposes, contingency seasonal planning and coordinating future vaccine programmes.
One way to usefully change the data store and platform for the future is to increase the level of communication with the public around the initiative. This is important because patients have a right to know what is being done to and with their data and, should the data store and platform continue post pandemic, effective communication will be key to gain people's trust in the initiative and keep trust in the NHS as a whole.
More action needs to be taken to make people aware that they do have the chance to opt out. The NHS could make people refrain from doing this by positively promoting how it has massively helped during the pandemic. Doing this will build trust between the public and their view on data sharing.
The initiative could be usefully changed by transferring to NHS Digital and becoming the Covid-19 disease register. This would ensure greater public trust due to the problematic and political connections of the companies involved and the reassurance that public / patient data and access to it was within a Safe Setting.
One way to usefully change the Data Store and Platform for the future is to increase the transparency of dealings between the NHS and Palantir / Amazon and other contractors with regards to the details of the contracts and the procurement processes between them and enable a review of these contracts and procurement processes. This is important as there are concerns around how Palantir may use the data in the future.
More democratic approach, such as a citizen jury could be conducted on a monthly basis so that the decision-making process is opened up to a diverse cross section of the public who could contribute their voice on these subjects.

Data Store and Platform - Engender Public Trust
One way to engender public trust in the data store and platform would be to gain opt in consent from patients as this would form a valid legal basis on which to use patient data. This is important because it means that patients would have clearly indicated their wish to be a part of the initiative and eliminates the most untrustworthy characteristic of the initiative in its current form, which is that the legal basis relies on COPI notices.
Forming an independent body to Govern the Data Store and Platform would engender greater public trust in the initiative. The Board members would approve access to the platform as well as approving and commissioning the projects that are initiated. The Board meetings and minutes would have to be published adding to the transparency of the process. As it would be an independent body this would help remove company bias.
Even though it states they have included a blog on the website regarding the platform, details regarding usage of the platform needs to be published, and monitored to establish where the data is being used, and for what needs so that it is more visible and easy to find for users.
Sending out text messages like the NHS has done in the past as well as sending out letters,

19