Care.Data
Please take time to read this information. You have a choice to make.
Background to Care.Data
NHS England is commissioning a modern data service from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) on behalf of the entire health and social care system.
Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, NHS England has the power to direct the HSCIC to collect information from all providers of NHS care, including general practices.
Confidential information from your medical records can be used by the NHS to improve the services offered so we can provide the best possible care for everyone. Data will be extracted on a monthly basis from GP records. Please read the information below and make a decision as to if you are agreeable for information to be shared.
Purpose of care.data
The purpose of care.data is to provide timely, accurate information to citizens, clinicians and commissioners regarding treatment and care.
The Aims of care.data is to:
Support patient choice, advance customer services, increase accountability, promote transparency, improve outcomes and drive economic growth.
What data will be extracted from GP records?
Information which will be taken from notes includes:
Patient demographics including DOB, Postcode, NHS Number and gender.
Family History
Diagnoses
Referrals
Vaccinations
Biological values (e.g. BMI, BP)
NHS Prescription.
Benefits of sharing information
It is important for the NHS to share information about the health needs of the population and the quality of the treatments they receive.
By sharing information in this way, researchers can identify patterns in disease and the most effective treatments. They can also:
- find more effective ways of preventing or managing illnesses;
- advise local decision makers how best to meet the needs of local communities;
- promote public health by monitoring risks of disease spread
- map out pathways of care to streamline inefficiencies and reduce waiting times
- determine how to use NHS resources most fairly and efficiently.
You need to make a decision...
If you are happy for information to be extracted from your GP records you do not need to do anything.
If you would like to opt-out of care.data and stop information being extracted from your records simply inform the surgery and we will put a block on this information being shared.
Additional Information
Additional Information is available on www.hscic.gov.uk and www.nhs.uk/caredata.