National Data Opt-Out Programme

NHS Digital is developing a new system to support the national data opt-out which will give patients more control over how confidential patient information is used. The system will offer patients and the public the opportunity to make an informed choice about whether they wish their confidential patient information to be used just for their individual care and treatment or also used for research and planning purposes.

Patients and the public who decide they do not want their confidential patient information used for planning and research purposes will be able to set their national data opt-out choice online.

For further opt-out information, please visit the NHS Digital website:

If you choose to opt out you only need to do this once, and that registration applies to all healthcare settings and organisations, not just general practice. You 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” [1] 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.  It can take up to 14 days to process the form once it arrives at NHS, PO Box 884, Leeds, LS1 9TZ

The following resources are available:

British Sign Language video of the patient hand-out

Audio version of the patient hand-out

Braille version of the patient hand-out which can be ordered from NHS England Health Publications

An easy read booklet of the patient hand-out for patients with learning disabilities as well as a larger print version can be downloaded from the resources for patients NHS Digital web page

You can find information about the privacy notice relating to the National Data Opt-Out here