Your Data Matters to the NHS

Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.

How Your Data is Used

Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnosis is collected about you whenever you use health and care services.  It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital.  It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.

Whenever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential information.

You Have A Choice

You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used.  If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning you can choose to opt out securely online or through a telephone service.  You can change your mind about your choice at any time.

Will Choosing to Opt-Out Affect My Care and Treatment?

No choosing to opt our will not affect how information is used to support  your care and treatment.  You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.

What do you Need to do?

If you are happy for your confidential patients information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.

To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected or to make/change your opt-out choice visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.

Summary Care Record

The Summary Care Record  (SCR) has been introduced to to help healthcare staff  provide a patient with safe treatment when they need  care in an emergency or when the GP practice is closed.  Initially it will contain  your name, dob, nhs number your medications, allergies and any bad reactions to medicines that you have had.

Your information will be extracted from practices such as ours and held on central NHS databases. For further information please visit www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk or call 0845 300 6016.

If you Wish to Have a Summary Care Record

You do not need to do anything.  This will happen automatically. Healthcare staff will ask your permission every time they look at your Summary Care Records.

If You Do Not Wish to Have A Summary Care Record

If you do not want a Summary Care Record, you need to let us know by completed our Summary Care Record Opt-out form.

Your Care Connected

This allows doctors, nurses and other registered healthcare professionals working in secondary care to view information from a patient’s GP records with the patient’s permission. They can view demographics, diagnoses, medication, allergies, investigations, vaccinations, referrals, end of life wishes and safeguarding concerns. When a patient visits a participating secondary care organisation, the treating clinician will ask patients permission before accessing any information. If you would like to find out more please visit www.MidlandsYourCareConnected.nhs.uk or call 0333 150 3388.

If you wish to allow access to “your care connected” you do not need to do anything.

If you do not wish to allow access to “your care connected” you can collect an opt out form from reception or visit www.MidlandsYourCareConnected.nhs.uk.

An opt out form can be completed for each of these schemes. These are available at reception.