National Data Opt-Out

The National Data Opt Out

Patient Information

Information Governance Service

What is it?

Your health and care information is used to improve your individual care; it is also used to research new treatments, plan for the future and to check that we are performing our duties correctly. Sometimes it is necessary to use confidential patient information which identifies you and provides information relating to your health, care or treatment.   

All information collected is handled sensitively and kept securely.  Legislation exists which allows you to opt out of sharing your information for planning, research and other non-care purposes.

Why do you use my personal information for research?

Research is an everyday part of the NHS and is vital so that new treatments and advances can be made to improve patient outcomes and experiences.   If your data is to be used for research purposes, ethical approval is a statutory requirement and additional constraints specific to each study, are put in place to protect your data. 

Research helps us to monitor safety, making sure drugs and surgical interventions are not causing unexpected side effects, and to improve the quality of life for people living with illnesses. Research is essential to find out which treatments and surgical interventions work better.  It helps us to discover new treatments, and ensures that the treatments we use are the most effective. 

Your participation in research studies is voluntary. You have the choice to opt out of both research and of us holding personal information at any time.   

Why do you use my personal information for planning?

An important part of the work we do in the NHS is improving the services we offer to our local population.  In order to do this most effectively, we use a wide range of patient data and statistics to identify patterns that will help us to develop new treatments and services. This ensures that we are offering services that are locally accessible to patients. 

For example, we use data to look at where patients across the Borough live to help us decide where we will provide local outpatient appointments. Having data about as many people as possible ensures that NHS can make the best possible decisions about care and treatment offered. Without this data, services may be planned without factoring in the needs of some patient groups, which is something we want to avoid.

What else do you use my personal information for?

Clinical audit is present in all hospitals to ensure all patients receive care of the highest standards, in line with guidance provided by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and to provide feedback to relevant national bodies.

It is important that we can access patient level data. This enables Doctors, Clinical Teams and the Clinical Audit Department to review case notes of patients who have been under our care. The Trust can then monitor and measure the care and treatment received, make any necessary improvements and provide assurance of high standards of care.

How does this affect my care?

The sharing that the trust does has no effect on the care that you receive.   In fact, by using your information for research, planning and auditing we are doing our best to ensure that the care you receive is improved and more easily accessible each time you visit us.

I’m happy with that, what do I do?

If you are happy for us to continue to use your information for purposes such as those explained above, then there is no need for you to do anything.

I’m not happy with that, what do I do?

If you would like to opt out of your information being used, please get in touch with NHS Digital by either of the methods below:-

On the internet: https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters 

By phone: - NHS Digital Contact Centre, 0300 303 5678 

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays)