We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. It is important that the NHS keeps accurate and up-to-date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give you the best possible care.
This information may be used for management and audit purposes. However, it is usually only available to, and used by, those involved in your care. You have the right to know what information we hold about you. Read more about this in our Privacy notice.
General Practice Transparency Notice for GPES Data for Pandemic Planning and Research (COVID-19)
This practice supports vital planning and research by sharing data with NHS Digital. Find more information about this.
Patient advice – Care Data
Your data matters to the NHS
Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.
Find out how data helps the NHS by visiting the NHS Digital website for information about General Practice data for planning and research.
How your data is used
Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses are collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital. It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.
Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify individuals, but sometimes it is necessary to use confidential patient information.
You have a choice
You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can choose to opt out securely online or through a telephone service. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.
Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?
No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screening for bowel cancer.
What do you need to do?
If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.
To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or how to make or change your opt-out choice via the NHS website.
Download a copy of the NHS Your Data Matters leaflet.
Informed consent
As our patient, you will be given all of the information in terms of what your treatment involves, including the benefits and risks, whether there are reasonable alternative treatments and what will happen if treatment does not go ahead.
