The NHS has launched the national data opt-out as part of the ‘Your Data Matters to the NHS’ campaign. This campaign informs the public of the strict rules about how health and care data can and cannot be used. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used. The campaign will also let the public know that they can choose whether their confidential patient information is used for research and planning. The following website allows the public to find out more about how their data is used across health and care to make this choice. If you are happy about how your confidential patient information is used, you do not need to do anything – you can change your choice at any time.
Type 1 Opt-out: Medical records held at your GP practice
You can tell your GP practice if you do not want your confidential patient information held in your GP medical record to be used for purposes other than your individual care. This opt-out request can only be recorded by your GP surgery. Please fill out our secure online form
Type 2 Opt-out: Information held by NHS Digital
Previously it was possible to tell your GP surgery if you did not want NHS Digital to share confidential patient information, for purposes other than your individual care – this was called a type 2 opt-out. From 25th May 2018, type 2 opt-out was replaced with National Data opt-out. Previously recorded type 2 opt-outs have automatically been converted to national data opt-outs. For more information about the difference between type 2 opt-out and the national data opt-out, please click here