National Data Opt-out statement
London Borough of Redbridge is one of many organisations working in the health and care system to improve care for patients and the public.
How the NHS and care services use your information
Whenever you use a health or care service, such as attending accident and emergency or using community care services, important information about you is collected in a patient record for that service. Collecting this information helps to ensure you get the best possible care and treatment.
The information collected about you when you use these services can also be used and shared with other organisations for purposes beyond your individual care, for example, to help with:
- improving the quality and standards of care provided
- research into the development of new treatments
- preventing illness and diseases
- monitoring safety
- planning services
All these uses help to provide better health and care for you, your family and future generations. This takes place only when there is a clear legal basis to use this information. Confidential patient information about your health and care is used like this only where it is allowed by law.
Data being used for purposes beyond individual care does not include your data being shared with insurance companies or used for marketing. Your data would only be used in this way with your agreement.
Can I choose not to share my patient information?
Most of the time, anonymised data is used for research and planning so that you cannot be identified, in which case your confidential patient information isn’t needed.
You can choose whether you want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning:
- If you are happy with this use of information, you do not need to do anything
- If you opt out, your confidential patient information will still be used to support your individual care. The opt-out applies only when section 251 Notice NHS Act 2006 is used to obtain your confidential patient information
How to opt out of your data being used for planning and research purposes
Opt out and find out more about how confidential patient information is used on the NHS website.
You will also need to let the Council’s Health and Adult Social Care service know that you wish to opt out:
- Call them on 020 8708 7333
- Use the Health and Adult Social Care service online contact form
You can change your mind about your choice at any time.
Health and care organisations have until 31 March 2021 to:
- put systems and processes in place to comply with the National Data Opt-out
- apply your choice to any confidential patient information they use or share for purposes beyond your individual care.
The Council is compliant with the National Data Opt-out policy.
