NHS digital has been directed to collect general practice data to support the GP data for planning and Research direction 2021. This is a national initiative and from 1st September 2021 patient data will be extracted from GP systems on a daily basis; data will be encrypted in transit. As this is a statutory obligation, practices are legally obliged to share this data, unless you have opted out.
If you as a patient want to opt out of your data being shared please use the following link: Make your choice about sharing data from your health records – NHS
For more information please visit nhs.uk your data matters
How confidential patient information is used
The NHS collects confidential patient information from:
- all NHS organisations, trusts and local authorities (including GP surgeries)
- private organisations, such as private hospitals providing NHS funded care
Research bodies and organisations can request access to this information. This includes:
- university researchers
- hospital researchers
- medical royal colleges
- pharmaceutical companies researching new treatments
Who Cannot use confidential patient information
Access to confidential patient information will not be given for:
- marketing purposes
- insurance purposes
Other ways to make a choice about sharing data
Make your choice
You can make or change a choice for:
- yourself
- children under the age of 13
- someone you can legally make decisions for
You can also make a change or choice for:
- yourself by phone, email or post
- someone else by email or post
Please click HERE for information about phone, email or postal options