NHS Digital and your personal data (Type 1 and National Data Opt Out)

Posted on June 2nd, 2021

The government have announced that on 1st July 2021, the personal data of all patients who haven’t opted-out will be shared with NHS Digital. This has been a rather under-the-radar, rushed implementation, with very short timeframes within which you can take decisions, and this has understandably prompted some critical media coverage. ***Note that the date has now been changed to 1st September 2021. 

While there are clearly benefits to research being conducted based on national data sets, we understand that our patients may be anxious about the proposed change. You can learn more about how NHS Digital uses your data here: General Practice Data for Planning and Research: GP Practice Privacy Notice – NHS Digital.

From a legal point of view, we have no ability to refuse to do this. All GP practices in England are legally required to share data with NHS Digital under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (2012 Act), as set out in the data provision notice issued by NHS Digital to GP practices.

This is the “type 1 opt-out”; as the chart below shows, this has been set up so that you also need to opt-out directly with NHS Digital.

OptOuts

What do you need to do?

If you are happy for your data to be shared as above, and haven’t previously Opt’d out – you do not need to do anything.

Type 1 OPT-OUT – to stop sharing your details with NHS digital (or to opt back in, if you have previous opt’d out)

Complete this form OPT OUT FORM (or you can complete this anytime to opt back in)

If you are not able to complete this form,  come to the practice and we can give you a copy to take away and complete.

Then, either:

• Hand the form to the surgery (through the post box to the left of the front of the surgery).
• Post it to us to: Hampton Medical Centre, 49a Priory Road, Hampton, TW12 2PB
• Email as an attachment to: admin.hamptonmedicalcentre@nhs.net

Type 2 OPT-OUT (also known as National Data Opt-out) – If you do not want NHS Digital to share your identifiable patient data with anyone else for purposes beyond your own care, which has been already shared with them (or to opt back in, if you have previous opt’d out)

NOTE: You can only do this via the following ways – as a GP practice we cannot opt you out of Type 2 (National Data Opt-out)

You need to, either:

• Call 0300 303 5678
• or complete the online form via YOUR NHS MATTERS