The NSW Citizens’ Jury on Health Data Sharing

Information for Local Health Districts and NSW Health staff on the NSW Citizens’ Jury on Health Data Sharing, to take place in March 2026.

• The NSW Citizens’ Jury on Health Data Sharing is an opportunity for NSW Health to demonstrate transparency and community engagement in data governance.
• The project has been commissioned by the Clinical Innovation and Research Division of the NSW Ministry of Health.
• The citizens’ jury of 30 residents from diverse backgrounds across NSW will convene in March 2026, in person and online. It will help to develop recommendations on when, how and with whom NSW Health data should be shared.
• The jury will consider sharing health data so it can be used to improve healthcare through research that develops new knowledge, or for innovations such as new devices, medicines or practices.
• The health data being considered may include information such as test results, medical records and imaging. It does not include personal information such as names, addresses or financial information.
• This independent and transparent deliberative process will be led by the University of Wollongong in partnership with the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre. The project aligns with the NSW Health Research and Innovation Strategy 2025–2030 and the Data and Analytics Strategy (draft version).
• Invitations to participate in the jury will be sent to 6,000 randomly selected NSW households commencing 12 January 2026, via the Sortition Foundation.
• People who receive an invitation by mail can respond directly via the contact details in the information pack they receive or visit the University of Wollongong web page for more information.
• Recommendations from the jury will be considered for NSW Health policy planning on how patient health data is used and shared.
• After the jury process is complete, NSW Health will share the jury’s recommendations and how it is responding.

Public enquiries

If contacted about the project by households who receive the invitation pack or other members of the public, LHD and other NSW Health staff should:

• Confirm that the NSW Citizens’ Jury on Health Data Sharing is a legitimate, independently conducted project intended to help NSW Health set principles for safe and trusted data sharing for research and innovation purposes.
• Explain that the project has been commissioned to help NSW Health understand the views of NSW residents on how NSW Health should use health data for research and innovation to improve patient outcomes in the future.
• Reassure consumers and members of the public that the health data being considered by the jury does not include personal data such as names, addresses or financial information.
• If the person enquiring has received an invitation pack, encourage them to use the contact details in the pack to find out more information about how to participate.
• Direct consumers and members of the public wanting more information to the University of Wollongong web page in the first instance. The page includes more detail on the project, frequently asked questions and a contact email address.

Media enquiries

There is no proactive media planned prior to or during the Citizens’ Jury. Following the jury, NSW Health will publish the jury’s findings and share how it is responding.

Please direct any media enquiries to the Agency for Clinical Innovation Communications team:

Danielle Oppermann, External Communications and Engagement Manager
Email: danielle.oppermann@health.nsw.gov.au, ACI-Media@health.nsw.gov.au
Ph: 0415 030 297

Key dates