How your health information is used
When you receive care from the NHS, information about your health and care is recorded in your medical record. This information helps healthcare professionals provide you with safe, effective care.
In some circumstances, information from patient records is also used to help improve health and care services. For example, it may be used to:
- Plan and improve NHS services
- Monitor the quality and safety of care
- Support medical research that benefits patients
- Help understand and prevent disease
- Ensure NHS resources are used effectively
Whenever possible, information used for planning and research is anonymised (so you cannot be identified) or pseudonymised (where identifying details are replaced with codes).
Your choice
You have a choice about whether your confidential patient information is used for planning and research outside of your individual care.
Your decision will not affect:
- The care and treatment you receive
- Your relationship with your GP practice or other NHS services
- Your access to NHS care
You can change your choice at any time.
You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your confidential patient information is used.
National Data Opt-Out
The National Data Opt-Out allows you to choose whether your confidential patient information is used for research and planning purposes outside of your individual care.
The National Data Opt-Out does not apply where there is a legal requirement to share information, such as:
- To support your direct care and treatment
- To protect public health
- Where required by law
You can find out more and register or change your choice:
- through the NHS App by selecting “Your Health” and “Choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning”
- via the NHS data matters page
- by phone (0300 303 5678), email or post via the manage your choice page
There are different types of data-sharing you can opt out of.
- Type 1 Opt-Out – Stop your GP surgery from sharing your data
- To do this you need to fill in an opt-out form and return it to your GP surgery – Download a Type 1 Opt-out form or ask the Reception staff for a form.
- Only your GP surgery can process your opt-out form. They will be able to tell you if, and when, you have been opted out.
If you choose a Type 1 Opt-out, your GP will not share your data for research and planning. However, NHS England will still be able to collect and share data from other healthcare providers, such as hospitals.
2. Stop NHS England and other health and care organisations from sharing your data for research and planning
This is called the National Data Opt-out.
- To opt out online or find out more, visit Make your choice.
- If you choose this opt-out, NHS England and other health and care organisations will not be able to share any of your personal data with other organisations for research and planning, except in certain situations. For example, when required by law.
- If you want to check if you have opted out, you can enter your details again at Make your choice or check your settings in the NHS App.
You can opt out, or opt back in again, at any time.
Keeping your information safe
The NHS and GP practices take the security of your information seriously. Strict laws and security measures are in place to protect your personal information and ensure it is used appropriately. For more information, please see our National Opt-Out Policy.