– The purpose of the research project was to examine the process of developing a data sharing framework between different public sector organisations.
– A two-year case study of a data sharing project between a UK fire and rescue service, local council, NHS primary care trust and a police force was undertaken.
– It is important to carefully determine the requirements for data sharing, to establish data sharing agreements, to have secure arrangements for data sharing, and to ensure compliance with data protection legislation.
– Data sharing between public sector organisations can operate effectively if appropriate care is taken when creating data sharing agreements between partner organisations.
– Data sharing can assist in reducing duplication of effort between public sector organisations and can reduce costs and enable more co-ordinated provision of public services.
– The detailed analysis of a data sharing case study identified the need for a systematic data sharing framework. Such a framework is proposed and illustrated with practical examples of specification, implementation and evaluation.
