Your health records contain a type of data called confidential patient information. This data can be used to help with research and planning.

You can choose to stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning. You can also make a choice for someone else like your children under the age of 13.

Your choice will only apply to the health and care system in England. This does not apply to health or care services accessed in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Please note, if you choose to stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning, your data might still be used in some situations.

When required by law

If there’s a legal requirement to provide it, such as a court order.

When you have given consent

If you have given your consent, such as for a medical research study.

When there is an overriding public interest

In an emergency or in a situation when the safety of others is most important. For example, to help manage contagious diseases like coronavirus and stop them spreading.

When information that can identify you is removed

Information about your health care or treatment might still be used in research and planning if the information that can identify you is removed first.

When there is a specific exclusion

Your confidential patient information can still be used in a small number of situations. For example, for official national statistics like a population census.

Make your choice

Use this service to:

• choose if your confidential patient information is used for research and planning
• change or check your current choice
• Your choice will be applied by:
• NHS Digital
• all other health and care organisations by 31 March 2022 (delayed from March 2020 to allow organisations to focus on the COVID-19 outbreak).

Any choice you make will not impact your individual care.

• Click here to make your choice: www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice/
• Other ways to make you choice can be found here: www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice/other-ways-to-manage-your-choice/
• OR you can collect a form from reception.

To learn more about how the NHS uses your data read this

• national data opt-out sheet

For further details and information on how to opt out visit nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.