How patients can Opt-Out
- Type 1 Opt-out* – a nationally produced form has been produced which patients can fill in and send to the practice (by post or email). Click here to view the form. Apply relevant code in grey box below.
- National Data Opt-out – Visit the NHS website or use the NHS App (instructions below)
- & 4. Primary Use Opt-out – we would suggest patients contact the surgery reception to perhaps speak to the practice manager/deputy practice manager to discuss this. Patients should be aware of the impact this may have before the opt out is applied. If they still wish to go ahead then code as appropriate using below codes.
* this may be changing to provide patients with a single data opt out pending some national consultation
Information about your data
How data in your GP record is used and how you can control the use (opt-out)
As a practice, we fully respect your right as a patient to control your data. We outline our privacy policy (insert link) in more detail on our website and explain how we share data with other providers, including the Great North Care Record and NHS Digital for secondary use.
You have the right to opt-out at any time from data being shared.
Your data is used in broadly two different ways:
- To provide you with care. This is called “Primary Use“
- To allow for planning and research to be done. This is called “Secondary Use“
Both uses will only be made where it is considered secure and appropriate to use patient data.
Opting-out of data sharing is an option for all patients, however it is not without potential downsides. For Primary Use data, if you opt-out and need care in a local hospital, for example, it may be much harder for the staff to access important medical information about you needed to provide safe and effective care. For Secondary Use, the downsides are more indirect. If everyone in the country were to opt-out, it would make it much harder to ensure funding is used in the NHS to develop services where they are needed. It would also be harder to develop new treatments.
It is possible to opt-out of specific parts of data sharing, while keeping some elements of data sharing in place. It is very common, for example, for people who have privacy concerns about Secondary Use, to be happy to continue sharing data for Primary Use/Direct Care.
The below table summarises what opt-outs are possible, and how to request them:
How data in your GP record is used, and how you can control the use
Primary Use - sharing your data for your direct care
Who it is shared with | How it is used | How to opt out |
Summary Care Record | These are used by NHS hospitals and other providers (e.g. midwives) to ensure they have the data needed to provide you with the right care. | Opt out through your GP practice - contact the surgery reception to speak to the practice manager/deputy practice manager to discuss this and we will be able to apply the opt-out |
Great North Care Record |
Secondary Use - Using your data to design health services and do health research
Who it is shared with | How it is used | How to opt out |
Local NHS Organisations (such as Clinical Commissioning Groups) | Using data to plan how to design local services around the needs of the population | Use a 'type-1 opt out' - Please send this form to the practice by emailing to (add surgery email address) nhs.net |
NHS Digital | Using data to plan and design national services around the needs of the population |
External research organisations | Using data for various research purposes | Use the National Data Opt-out – Visit the NHS website, use the NHS App or call 0300 3035678 |
How to manage your sharing preferences using the NHS App
You can view or change your current preference at any time.
To view and change your preference in the NHS App:
- Go to Your health
- Select Choose if data from your health and care records is shared for planning and research.
- Select Make your choice.
- Review the information on the page, then select Start now.
- View your preference, then select Change if you want to change it.
- Update your choice, then select Submit.
You can also visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.
General Data Protection Regulation
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679 is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union and the European Economic Area. It comes into force 25.05.2018 and will replace the current Data Protection Act 1998.
The Practice is currently working on becoming GDPR compliant.
The Data Protection officer for the Practice is: Liane Cotterill
If you would like to contact the Data Protection Officer, please use the following email: NECSU.IG@nhs.net
Or you can write to the DPO at:
Liane Cotterill
Senior Governance Manager & Data Protection Officer
North of England Commissioning Support
Teesdale House
Westpoint Road
Thornaby
Stockton-on-Tees
TS17 6BL
Privacy statement
National Data Opt
GDPR explained
Processing Personal data
Subject Access Report
Covid privacy notice
2021
Newcastle Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group (NG CCG) is working with Public Health
at Newcastle Council to ensure we maximise the vaccination opportunities and ensure access for all across Newcastle. To do this, Newcastle Gateshead CCG (NG CCG) is asking Practices to allow data to be shared in a very safe and controlled manner with Public Health Team at Newcastle City Council. The reason for this is to provide intelligence to Newcastle City Council so they can fully understand where resources need to be in order to ensure we maximise the safety and wellbeing of residents across Newcastle. A team within Public Health with get in touch with those who have not yet been vaccinated to ensure they can provide every opportunity to benefit from the vaccine appropriately and also map the areas which need access to the Vaccination Bus, Covid Champions etc. We hope this approach will ensure as many people are vaccinated before the proposed lockdown restrictions are lifted on 21 June.
The COVID 19 Notice (The COPI Notice) issued by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 20 March 2020 requires organisations to process confidential patient information for issues such as this. We would like to reassure patients that everyone working for the NHS has a legal obligation to keep information about you confidential.
Primary Care
Newcastle Gateshead CCG, Riverside House, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside (Business Park),
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 8NY
www.newcastlegatesheadccg.nhs.uk