About opting out:
- Information can be found at the website nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters
- make sure that you know your NHS number
- ensure you have an up-to-date email address or mobile phone number in your GP practice record, as this will be used to verify your identity when you use the online service
Patients who previously had a type 2 opt-out
Where a patient previously had a type 2 opt-out registered on or before 11 October 2018, this was automatically converted to a national data opt-out and if they were aged 13 or over they were sent a personal letter (PDF, 83KB) explaining the change and a handout with more information about the national data opt-out.
Patients can be reassured that their choices will continue to be respected. If they want to change their choice, they can use the national data opt-out service to do this.
Patients who have a type 1 opt-out
Some patients will have a type 1 opt-out registered with their GP practice, which indicates they do not want their confidential patient information leaving the practice for research and planning purposes. These existing type 1 opt-outs will continue to be respected until 2020, when the Department of Health and Social Care will consult with the National Data Guardian on their removal. GP practices will continue to record and apply a patient’s type 1 opt-out choice.