The Health Research Authority will be transparent in providing its advice surrounding the release of identifiable patient data in cases of research where the patient has not consented and the data is not anonymised. The Department of Health made the announcement to provide re-assurance for what would happen from April 2013 when the HRA replaces the role of the Ethics and Confidentiality Committee of the National Information Governance Board. Currently the Committee advises the Health Secretary as to the research proposals that should have exceptional access to such data. Decisions for use of data other than for research purposes will still be decided upon by the Health Secretary, but the HRA will make research decisions on behalf of the Secretary of State.