Record Sharing/ OpenSAFELY, National Data Opt-out and Type 1 Data Opt-out
Record Sharing:
OpenSAFELY is a national initiative which uses GP data for research.
- Practices are legally required to activate OpenSAFELY, which uses GP data for research. It is run by NHS England
- OpenSAFELY has the full support of the BMA & RCGP.
What is OpenSAFELY? Follow the link below for futher information.
Can patients opt-out of their information being accessed?
Type 1 Opt-Out: if a patient registers this Opt-Out with their practice, researchers cannot use
their GP information in OpenSAFELY.
National Data Opt-Out: it does not automatically apply under NHS England policy when
pseudonymised personal data is used. However, researchers can request it to be applied.
Should there be a future public health emergency, OpenSAFELY can temporarily set aside
Opt-Outs, but NHS England must seek agreement of the BMA & RCGP before doing so.
Please see this link to NHS Digital explaining the National Data Opt-out and the recent introduction of the Type 1 Data Opt-out:
NHS England » How the NHS and care services use your information: the National Data Opt-Out
The national data opt-out is a service that allows people to opt out of their confidential patient information being used for research and planning.
Top tasks
Patients can find out more and set their opt-out choice at nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.
The national data opt-out is introduced on 25 May 2018, providing a facility for individuals to opt-out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes. This is provided in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in her Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs. The service will initially be in beta, while we ensure the service design is optimal.
Individual preferences will be collected from 25 May and by 2020 all health and care organisations are required to have applied these preferences in all research and planning situations in which confidential patient information is used. NHS Digital will apply these preferences with immediate effect.
The national data opt-out will replace the previous ‘type 2’ opt-out, which required NHS Digital to refrain from sharing a patient’s confidential patient information for purposes beyond their direct care. Any person with an existing type 2 opt-out will have it automatically converted to a national data opt-out from 25 May 2018 and will shortly receive a letter giving them more information and a leaflet explaining the new national data opt-out. We will continue to collect and convert type 2 opt-outs during the beta phase.
The national data opt-out choice can be viewed or changed at any time by using the online service at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or call the NHS Digital Contact Centre on 0300 303 5678.
Page created: 16 October 2023