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New patient data bill brings NHS staff use of WhatsApp into focus

A hand holding a phone with the WhatsApp application.
Certain firms discourage using WhatsApp for official communication. Photo: Gado/Getty Images

Better communication within the NHS is a key challenge, but what of the balance between patient care and privacy?

A new bill aimed at making “patients’ data easily transferable across the NHS so that frontline staff can make better informed decisions for patients more quickly” was introduced to the British parliament on Wednesday 23 October. The move casts fresh light on staff use of WhatsApp to share patient data.

According