Published: 27 May 2020

In response to the government's announcement that the NHS coronavirus test and trace service will be launched across England on Thursday 28 May, Aisling Burnand MBE, CEO of the Association of Medical Research Charities said: 

“The NHS test and trace service could bring significant benefits to all of us but only if it is launched and managed in the right way. Data driven technologies can save lives during the COVID-19 crisis and potentially support our route out of lockdown as part of a track and trace strategy.

“But that success will be dependent on sustaining widespread public trust and confidence in the use of our data, for which transparency and open communication from the government are absolutely vital. How it will work, who will have access to data, and why test and trace is important  must be clear if this is to become a tool which helps unlock our route out of the crisis.” 

Find out about the implications of the contact tracing app for medical research and patients in our blog.