Independent Advisory Group – General Practice Extraction Service. Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Time commitment: Approximately 12 days per year Location: Nationwide Meetings to be held in Leeds or London.

The Health and Social Care Information Centre is England's national source of health and social care information.

The General Practice Extraction Service (GPES) is a centrally managed primary care data extraction service that will be capable of obtaining information from NHS GP practice systems in England with the aim of improving patient care, whilst at the same time protecting patient confidentiality and privacy.

The Independent Advisory Group will be an essential part of this service with responsibility for reviewing each GPES data extract request. Specifically focussing on the validity, relevance and appropriateness of these requests from a patient benefit perspective, members will be required to debate the merits and potential risks of each request and form a consensus agreement on the recommended course of action.

We are looking for three lay members to join the Independent Advisory Group to represent public opinion and bring a non-medical perspective to their work. Lay members will have an interest in public service and the use of personal data to improve public health. They should be able to engage in informed debate about complex and sensitive issues, and form a consensus with other members who may have differing views.

A good general education will be an advantage, but for lay members, medical expertise is not required. Experience of working on committees would also be an advantage.

Members will receive an attendance allowance and be reimbursed for travel and subsistence costs.

For further information and to download an information pack, please visit our website here.

Application by CV and supporting statement to this email by Friday 10 February 2012. Interviews will be held during February 2012.