Data Choices

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.

Using your health data for planning and research

You can decide whether you wish to have your information extracted and there are two main options available to you.

Option 1:

Type 1 opt-out applies at organisational level and means that your medical record is not extracted from the organisation for any purpose other than for direct patient care. You can opt-out at any time. Opting out will mean that no further extractions will be taken from your medical record.

For a Type 1 Opt-out, you need to contact the organisation by phone, email or post to let us know that you wish to opt-out. Further information is available here.

Option 2:

The National Data Opt-out (NDO-O) allows data to be extracted by NHS England for its lawful purposes but it cannot share this information with anyone else for research and planning purposes. You can opt-out at any time.

NDO-O – you need to inform NHS England. Unfortunately, this cannot be done by this organisation for you. You can opt in or out at any time and complete this by any of the following methods:

● Online service – You will need to know your NHS number or your postcode as registered at this organisation via Make your choice about sharing data from your health records

● Telephone service 0300 303 5678 which is open between 0900 – 1700 Monday to Friday

● NHS App – For use by patients aged 13 and over. The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play

● “Print and post” Manage your choice

Photocopies of proof of the applicant’s name (e.g., passport, UK driving licence etc.) and address (e.g., utility bill, payslip etc.) need to be sent with the application.

It can take up to 14 days to process the form once it arrives at NHS, PO Box 884, Leeds. LS1 9TZ

Further information on NDO-O is available here.