Important Notice 20th July 2021
The current NHS Digital (NHSD) extract of GP data for Research purposes (known as the GPDPR) has been delayed due to NHSD wishing to review the way in which this data will be collected, to conduct more public involvement and information about the plans and change the way in which patients can opt out of the extract of their GP data.
Currently the only way to opt out is to complete a Type 1 opt out form and return this to the practice by the 1st September. However, this extract will not be taken until the NHSD have changed the way it will take the data and respect the patient’s choice for using their data. NHSD are introducing the following changes to the opt out process which will mean that patients will be able to change their opt-out status at any time:-
- Patients do not need to register a Type 1 opt-out by 1st September to ensure their GP data will not be uploaded.
- NHS Digital will create the technical means to allow GP data that has previously been uploaded to the system via the GPDPR collection to be deleted when someone registers a Type 1 opt-out.
- The plan to retire Type 1 opt-outs will be deferred for at least 12 months while we get the new arrangements up and running and will not be implemented without consultation with the RCGP, the BMA and the National Data Guardian.
This means that you can opt out at any time in the future and NHSD will delete data that they already have taken for research purposes, the deadline of the 01/09/2020 has been delayed until a new system of opt out is developed. Hopefully, this will be a simple centralised approach via the NHS app or NHS website to avoid paper form and administration work for your GP.
We will update you when we know more about the NHSD plans to change how you can control who has access to your data.
We are making patients aware of the planned data extraction taking place in the coming weeks from GP systems across England.
Please note the practice has been legally required by the Secretary of State to allow the extraction by NHS Digital and the data is extracted centrally by NHS Digital.
As well as using your information to support the delivery of care to you, your data may be used by NHS Digital to help improve the way health and social care is delivered to patients and service users throughout England. From the 1st July 2021, NHS Digital will securely extract your information to provide access to patient data to the NHS and other organisations who need to use it, to improve health and social care for everyone.
NHS Digital will primarily use your information in a way that does not identify you (your information will be pseudonymised). However, they will be able to use their software to identify you in certain circumstances, and where there is a valid legal reason to do so. NHS Digital may also share your information with third parties such as Local Authorities, primary care networks (PCNs), clinical Commissioning groups (CCGs), research organisations, including universities, and pharmaceutical companies.
At the time of publication (June 2nd 2021), patients who have a “type 1” opt- out, recorded before 23rd June 2021 will be excluded from this programme and will not have their data extracted.
If an opt-out is registered after the 1st July 2021, data extracted previously will be held and processed by NHS Digital; however no future extraction shall take place.
We will rely on Legal Obligation (Article (6)(1)(c)), Health and Social Care (Article 9(2)(h)) and Public Health (Article (9)(2)(i)) as the legal basis for processing your data for this purpose.
How to opt-out:
Visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice
You can also opt-out simply by using the NHS App
Phone 0300 303 5678 Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Further information about GPDfPR can be found here: digital.nhs.uk/.../general.../transparency-notice