Data Sharing – General Practice Data for Planning and Research – NHS Digital

For more information, please see the NHS Digital website: www.digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information

Patient data from GP medical records kept by GP practices in England is used every day to improve health, care and services through planning and research, helping to find better treatments and improve patient care. The NHS is introducing an improved way to share this information – called the General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection.

As 1st September 2021 your data will be shared with NHS Digital to help improve health, care and services.

NHS Digital will collect, analyse, publish and share this patient data to improve health and care services for everyone. This includes:

  • Informing and developing health and social care policy
  • Planning and commissioning health and care services
  • Taking steps to protect public health (including managing and monitoring the coronavirus pandemic)
  • In exceptional circumstances, providing you with individual care
  • Enabling healthcare and scientific research

Any data that NHS Digital collects will only be used for health and care purposes. It is never shared with marketing or insurance companies.

You can choose to stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning, you can opt out by completing the Type 1 Opt-out form. You can also make a choice for someone else like your children under the age of 13.

If you’re happy with your confidential patient information being used for research and planning you do not need to do anything. Any choice you make will not impact your individual care.