General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR)
The data held in a GP medical records of patients is used every day to support health and care planning and research in England, helping to find better treatments and improve patient outcomes for everyone and it is known that data saves lives. NHS Digital has developed a new way to collect this data, called the General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection.
The new data collection reduces burden on GP practices, allowing doctors and other staff to focus on patient care.
What data is shared
Data may be shared from the GP medical records about:
- any living patient registered at a GP practice in England when the collection started - this includes children and adults
- any patient who died after the specified deadline, 31/07/22 and was previously registered at a GP practice in England when the data collection started
NHS Digital will not collect patients’ names or addresses. Any other data that could directly identify patients (such as NHS Number, date of birth, full postcode) is replaced with unique codes which are produced by de-identification software before the data is shared with NHS Digital.
This process is called pseudonymisation and means that patients will not be identified directly in the data. NHS Digital will be able to use the software to convert the unique codes back to data that could directly identify patients in certain circumstances, and where there is a valid legal reason.
Structured and coded data will be collected from patient medical records.
Click here to find out more about the benefits of data collection for research & planning and how it helps the NHS.
What is National Data Opt-Out?
The national data opt-out is a service that allows patients to opt out of their confidential patient information being used for research and planning.
For further information on National Data Opt-Out, click on this link.
NHS Digital will not collect data from GP practices about patients for research and planning purposes if they have registered a Type 1 Opt-out with their practice.
If you do not want your data to be shared by NHS Digital for purposes other than personal health care and treatment please register your Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice.
If you register a Type 1 Opt-out after collection has started, no more of your data will be shared. However what NHS Digital will still hold the patient data which was collected prior to opt out/before you registered the Type 1 Opt-out.
Type 1 Opt-out Electronic Form
Type 1 Opt Out Form- To opt out using Type 1 opt-out please download and complete this form and submit to the surgery you can do this by emailing us at gmicb-bol.p8004.administrators@nhs.net