Information about you and the care you receive is shared, in a secure system, by healthcare staff to support your treatment and care.

It is important that we, the NHS, can use this information to plan and improve services for all patients. The Government would now like to link information from all the different places where you receive care, such as your GP, hospital and community service, to help provide a full picture. This will allow the care you received in one area to be compared against the care you received in another, so it can be seen what has worked best.

Information such as your date of birth, postcode and NHS number, but not your name, will be used by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) to link your records in a secure system, so your identity is protected. Information which does not reveal your identity can then be used by others, such as researchers and those planning health services, to make sure we provide the best care possible for everyone.

You have a choice. If you are happy for your information to be used in this way you do not have to do anything. If you have any concerns or wish to prevent this from happening, please speak to practice staff or download a copy of the leaflet “How information about you helps us to provide better care” below.  Further information is avaiable by telephoning 0300 456 3531.

We need to make sure that you know this is happening and the choices you have

You have the right  to ‘Opt Out’ (this WILL NOT affect your medical care).  Click this link to download an ‘Opt Out’ form:   Care Data Opt Out

 How information about you helps us to provide better care

 Care Data – Frequently Asked Questions

You can find out more on the NHS England Care Data website