Purpose:
To provide the Secretary of State and others with information and reports on the status, activity and performance of the NHS. The provide specific reporting functions on identified
What are my Options?
None, the Practice is required by law to provide information when required.
Some, but not all, of this data is subject to the National Opt-out scheme which allows patients to opt out of their confidential patient information being used for research and planning. You have the right to opt-out of some usage. See Privacy notice for details of how to register an opt-out.
What is the impact?
An opt-out would mean your data is not included in any analysis or statistics. An opt-out does not cover all circumstances for example COVID-19 research. See the NHS-England-Directions link below for full details.
NHS Digital is the secure central database of NHS patient data.
NHS Digital provides reports on the performance of the NHS, statistical information, audits and patient outcomes (https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information).
These include general statistics, for example A/E and outpatient waiting times and more specific targeted data collections and reports such as English National Diabetes Audits.
GPs are required by the Health and Social Care Act to provide NHS Digital with information when instructed. This is a legal obligation which overrides any patient wishes.
These instructions are called “Directions”.
More information on the directions placed on GPs can be found at https://digital.nhs.uk/article/8059/NHS-England-Directions- and www.nhsdatasharing.info