National Data Opt-Out (NDO-O) was introduced along with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR on 25^th May 2018, and this practice is compliant on 31st July 2022.

This provides a secure and accessible way for patients to opt-out of their confidential patient information being used for purposes other than their individual care and treatment except for certain exemptions.

The National Data Guardian (NDG) states that “A patient should be able to state their preference once (online or in person), confident in the knowledge that this will be applied across the health and social care system”.

The national data opt-out does NOT apply to information used for individual care, for example, Summary Care Record, and Local Detailed Care Record. These are generally covered by other opt-out arrangements.

You can read more about how your data is used by downloading the  Your Data Matters Leaflet

The leaflet is also available in British Sign Language  

For an Audio Version Click here

Easy Read Version Easy Read – Your Data Opt Out Choices

National Screening Programmes:

If you do not wish to receive an invitation to the screening programmes, you can opt-out at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/opting-out-of-the-nhs-population-screening-programmes or speak to the practice.

Type 1 Opt-out:

You have the right to object to your confidential patient data being shared for purposes beyond your direct care by asking the practice to apply a Type 1 opt-out to your medical records. A type 1 opt-out prevents personal data about you, from being extracted from your GP record, and uploaded to any other organisations without your explicit consent. If you wish for a Type 1 opt-out to be applied to your record.

You can also download a form here DNOO form post to the surgery or email your request to [email protected]

National Data Opt-out:

You have the right to object to your data being shared under the national data opt-out model. The national data opt-out model provides an easy way for you to opt-out of sharing data that identifies you as being used or shared for medical research purposes and quality checking or audit purposes.

To opt out of your identifiable data being shared for medical research or to find out more about your opt-out choices please ask a member of staff or go to NHS Digital’s website:

https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out-programme

The following graphic helps explain how these two data types work. Please click OptOuts to view.

Who can OPT OUT?

Anyone over the age of 13 years can opt out. People with parental responsibility can set opt-out for their children under 13 and those with a formal proxy relationship can set an opt-out choice on behalf of the person for whom they hold responsibility.

The national data opt-out choice CANNOT be set by your  GP or other members of the practice staff.

How do I set up or Change an Opt Out Choice?

A patient has to register their choice to opt-out only once, and that registration applies to all healthcare settings and organisations, not just general practice. They can do this by using one of the following:

1. Online service – Patients registering need to know their NHS number or their postcode as registered at their GP practice
2. Telephone service 0300 303 5678 which is open Monday to Friday between 0900 and 1700
3. NHS App – for use by patients aged 13 and over (95% of surgeries are now connected to the NHS App). The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google play
4. “Print and post” registration form. Photocopies of proof of 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. Print and Post Opt-in Registration Form. It can take up to 14 days to process the form once it arrives at NHS, PO Box 884, Leeds, LS1 9TZ
5. Getting a healthcare professional to assist patients in prison or other security settings to register an opt-out choice. For patients detained in such settings Guidance is available on NHS Digital and a Proxy form is available to assist in registration.

The choice to opt-in or out applies only to the healthcare system in England. It does not apply to health and social care services accessed in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

You can download or read the practices’ policy National-Data-Opt-Out-Guidance-Policy (2)