Privacy issues around health data have come into sharp relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on the race to develop an effective test and trace system and a vaccine. 

Whether health data is processed by medical devices, in databases or paper files, protection of this sensitive information is vital. We look at some key regulatory requirements in the UK, France and Germany:

Medical devices in the UK – the data protection angle

Mary Rendle looks at the regulatory framework for medical devices processing NHS health data.

SARs requesting health data – exemptions and restrictions

Vin Bange and Debbie Heywood consider the exemptions and restrictions that apply to health data-related subject access requests.

A new era for digital health in Germany

Thanos Rammos looks at the new regulatory regime for digital healthcare and 'apps by prescription' in Germany.

Contract tracing apps – will consensus create success?

Jo Joyce looks at the privacy issues involved in developing contact tracing apps and whether they impact their ultimate success.

Updating the Caldicott Principles

Sally Annereau looks at the proposed changes to the Caldicott Principles which aim to maintain future relevance

Processing health data in France

Nolwenn Vignaud looks at rules around processing health data in France and at their impact on transfers of health data to the USA.