Why your data is important
The NHS uses information about patients (patient data) to research, plan and improve:
- the services we offer
- the treatment and care patients receive
We get this data from your GP surgery, hospitals and other healthcare providers. The organisation that collects your data is called NHS Digital.
To help improve services, NHS Digital shares this data with researchers from organisations such as universities or hospitals. This type of data-sharing has been happening for many years.
All data that is collected and shared is protected by strict rules around privacy, confidentiality and security.
Information
We never sell patient data or share it with insurance or marketing companies.
Find out more about how NHS Digital is looking after your data.
Opting out of sharing your data
You can choose whether or not your data is used for research and planning. There are different types of data-sharing you can opt out of.
- Stop your GP surgery from sharing your data
- Stop NHS Digital and other health and care organisations from sharing your data for research and planningYou can opt out, or opt back in again, at any time.
For the form and more information on how you can opt out please visit:
www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/opt-out-of-sharing-your-health-records/
