The care.data programme has been commissioned by NHS England and is being run by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).
It is important that the people who plan and manage the NHS have access to a full picture of the care being provided to patients so that they can make sure that the NHS is providing the best possible services to all of its patients. They can only do this by using information, for example to compare care received in one area to the care received in another area to see what worked better.
Information in health records is also valuable for carrying out research into treatments offered for different diseases and illnesses.
Your date of birth, full postcode, NHS number and gender rather than your name will be used to link your records in a secure system, managed by the HSCIC. Once this information has been linked a new record will be created. This new record will not contain information that identifies you. The type of information shared, and how it is shared, is controlled by law and strict confidentiality rules.
If you are happy for your information to be used then you do not need to do anything.
If you do not want information that identifies you from being shared outside your GP practice, please complete the opt-out form by clicking HERE and following the link, alternatively you can complete the care data opt-out form below and return this to the practice.
Download the opt-out form here: care data opt-out form
We will make a note of this in your medical record and this will prevent your information being used other than where necessary by law, such as in case of a public health emergency.
This will not affect the care you receive. You can change your mind at any time and as many times as you wish.
You can access more information here: