Use of Office of Population Censuses and Surveys records in medical research and clinical audit.

Clinicians and epidemiologists have become increasingly interested in access to patient records for clinical audit and medical research. This article describes the historical background of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS), and the ways in which its records can be used to support such research. It also discusses how confidentiality is safeguarded, whilst at the same time access for those with approved studies has been improved.