GP Data for Planning & Research

Posted by: ethan - Posted on:

There has been a lot of coverage in the press recently about the National Data Opt-Out and how the NHS uses data for research purposes. 

NHS Digital will collect:

  • data about diagnoses, symptoms, observations, test results, medications, allergies, immunisations, referrals, recalls and appointments, including information about physical, mental and sexual health;
  • data on sex, ethnicity, and sexual orientation;
  • data about staff who have treated patients.

NHS Digital does not collect:

  • name and address (except for postcode, protected in a unique coded form);
  • written notes (free text), such as the details of conversations with doctors and nurses;
  • images, letters, and documents; 
  • coded data that is not needed due to its age – for example medication, referral and appointment data that is over 10 years old;
  • coded data that GPs are not permitted to share by law – for example certain codes about IVF treatment, and certain information about gender re-assignment.

It is the right of every patient to opt-out of this if they wish and if you change your mind in the future, you will be able to opt back in again.

For more information, check out this video on the NHS Digital YouTube Channel here.