This page is for information regarding sharing your data, including the Summary Care Record, Type 1 opt-out and the new National Data Opt-out. There is information here on how to opt out of any of these. Please read carefully about the purposes of this information sharing.
Summary Care Records
There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR), which will be used in emergency care.
The record will contain information about any medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.
Why do I need a Summary Care Record?
Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.
This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.
Who can see it?
Your Summary Care Record will be available to authorised healthcare staff providing your care anywhere in England, but they will ask your permission before they look at it. This means that if you have an accident or become ill, healthcare staff treating you will have immediate access to important information about your health.
How do I know if I have one?
Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether you do by asking your GP practice.
Do I have to have one?
No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete the form below and bring it along to the surgery.
If you need more time to make your choice please inform Reception.
If you do nothing we will assume that you are happy with these changes and create a Summary Care Record for you. Children under 16 will automatically have a Summary Care Record created for them unless their parent or guardian chooses to opt them out. If you are the parent or guardian of a child under 16 and feel that they are old enough to understand, then you should make this information available to them.
More Information
For more information talk to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) (01524 583554), visit the NHS Care records website or telephone the dedicated NHS Summary Care Record Information Line on 0300 123 3020.
Summary Care Record Opt-out Form
Sharing Your Data for Anything Other Than Your Personal Care
Why does NHS Digital (NHSD) need my information?
Patients’ personal confidential data is extracted and shared with NHS Digital in order to support vital health and care planning and research.
Do I have to share my information?
No, patients may opt out of having their information shared for Planning or Research by applying a National Data Opt Out and/or a Type 1 Opt Out.
Type 1 Opt-out (opting out of NHS Digital collecting your data)
NHSD will not collect data from GP practices about patients who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out with their practice. More information about Type 1 Opt-outs is in the GP Data for Planning and Research – NHS Digital.
This collection started on 1st SEPTEMBER 2021. If you registered your Type 1 Opt-out before this date then none of your data will be shared with NHS Digital.
You can still register a Type 1 Opt-out, and no further data will be shared with NHS Digital. They will, however, still hold the patient data which was shared before you registered the Type 1 Opt-out.
You can use the form below to:
• register a Type 1 Opt-out, for yourself or for a dependent (if you are the parent or legal guardian of the patient) (to Opt-out)
• withdraw an existing Type 1 Opt-out, for yourself or a dependent (if you are the parent or legal guardian of the patient) if you have changed your preference (Opt-in)
Please complete the form and post to the surgery, or email us at [email protected].
National Data Opt-out (opting out of NHS Digital sharing your data with other organisations)
If you have NOT registered a Type 1 opt-out, your data will be passed to NHS Digital.
If you do not want NHS Digital to share your identifiable patient data with anyone else for purposes beyond your own care, then you can also register a National Data Opt-out via the NHS website:
NHS Digital will collect data from GP medical records about patients who have registered a National Data Opt-out. The National Data Opt-out applies to identifiable patient data about your health, which is called confidential patient information.
NHS Digital won’t share any confidential patient information about you – this includes GP data, or other information, such as hospital data – with other organisations, unless there is an exemption to this. This decision will not affect individual care and you can change your choice at any time.
Page last reviewed: August 18th, 2022
Next review due: August 18th, 2023