Data Sharing - Make your choice about data sharing

Patient can

  • choose if your confidential patient information is used for research and planning
  • change or check your current choice

Your choice will be applied by all health and care organisations.

Any choice you make will not impact your individual care.

You can opt in or out at any time. 

Opt out of sharing your health records - NHS

More information about who we share data with can be found in our Privacy policies

Data Sharing - when your choice does not apply

National Data Opt Out - Stop NHS England and other health care organisations or for research & planning

Stop NHS England and other health and care organisations from sharing your data for research and planning

This is called the National Data Opt-out.

  • To opt out online or find out more, visit Make your choice.
  • If you choose this opt-out, NHS England and other health and care organisations will not be able to share any of your personal data with other organisations for research and planning, except in certain situations. For example, when required by law.
  • If you want to check if you have opted out, you can enter your details again at Make your choice or check your settings in the NHS App.
Type 1 Opt Out - GP Data

Patients may opt out of having their personal confidential data extracted or shared by the GP practice for purposes other than their individual direct care. 

Stop your GP surgery from sharing your data

This is called a Type 1 Opt-out.

  • To do this you need to fill in an opt-out form and return it to your GP surgery. Download a Type 1 Opt-out form.
  • Only your GP surgery can process your opt-out form. They will be able to tell you if, and when, you have been opted out.

If you choose a Type 1 Opt-out, your GP will not share your data for research and planning. However, NHS England will still be able to collect and share data from other healthcare providers, such as hospitals.

National Screening Service Opt Outs

Instructions about how to opt out of different screening types are provided below. If you wish to opt out of more than one type of screening, you will need to follow the instructions for each type separately.

Opting out of screening - GOV.UK

Type 2 Opt Out  (no longer applies)

Type 2 Opt Out  (no longer applies)

The Type 2 opt-out has been replaced by the national data opt out.

Type 2 opt outs recorded on or before 11 October 2018 have been automatically converted to national data opt outs.

National data opt outs came into force on the 25th May 2018. Please see the next section.