If you are happy for your data to be extracted and used for the purposes described in this privacy notice then you do not need to do anything. If you do not want your information to be used for any purpose beyond providing your care you can choose to opt-out. We will respect your decision if you do not wish your information to be used for any purpose other than your care but in some circumstances we may still be legally required to disclose your data.

There are several forms of opt- outs available at different levels:

Type 1 Opt-Out

If you do not want personal confidential information that identifies you to be shared outside your GP practice you can register a ‘Type 1 opt-out’ with your GP practice. This prevents your personal confidential information from being used except for your direct health care needs and in particular circumstances required by law, such as a public health emergency like an outbreak of a pandemic disease. If you do not want your information to be used for any purpose beyond providing your care you can choose to opt-out. If you wish to do so, please let us know so we can code your record appropriately to stop your records from being shared outside of your GP Practice.

Type 2 Opt-Out

The national data opt-out was introduced on 25 May 2018 and replaces the previous ‘type 2’ opt-out.  NHS Digital collects information from a range of places where people receive care, such as hospitals and community services.  The new programme provides a facility for individuals to opt-out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes.  For anyone who had an existing type 2 opt-out, it will have been automatically converted to a national data opt-out from 25 May 2018 and you will receive a letter giving you more information and a leaflet explaining the new national data opt-out.

The national data opt-out choice can be viewed or changed at any time by using the online service at www.nhs.uk