The NHS wants to make sure you and your family have the best care now and in the future. Your health and adult social care information supports your individual care. It also helps us to research, plan and improve health and care services in England.
There are very strict rules on how this data can and cannot be used, and you have clear data rights. We are committed to keeping patient information safe and will always be clear on how it is used.
You can choose whether or not your confidential patient information is used for research and planning.
Your confidential patient information
Confidential patient information identifies you and says something about your health, care or treatment. You would expect this information to be kept private. Information that only identifies you like your name and address is not confidential patient information and may still be used. For example, to contact you if your GP practice is merging with another.
Using your confidential patient information
Your confidential patient information is used in two different ways:
Your individual care
Health and care professionals may use your confidential patient information to help with your treatment and care. For example, when you visit your GP, they may access your records for important information about your health.
Research and planning
Confidential patient information is also used to:
- plan and improve health and care services
- research and develop cures for serious illnesses
Most of the time, anonymised data is used for research and planning. So your confidential patient information isn’t always needed.
Where you have a choice
If you don’t want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can opt out of this. If you do opt out, there are some specific situations where your data may still be used. Data that does not identify you may still also be used. Your confidential patient information will still be used to support your individual care. Any preference you set using this service will not change this. If you opt out, your decision will only apply within the health and care system in England. Your opt-out will not apply to your health data where you have accessed health or care services outside of England, such as in Scotland and Wales.
Manage your choice
You may use our online service, or request a print-and-post form, to make or change your choice at any time. You can also request assistance or make your choice using our telephone service. If you do not wish to opt out, you don’t have to do anything at all.
You can also manage a choice on behalf of another individual by proxy. For example, if you are a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 13.
Please click on the following link if you wish to Manage your choice
More information can also be viewed at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters