Have you heard about care data?
2016
As you may be aware patients can object to their personal confidential information being shared by the HSCIC for purposes other than their own direct care. This is known as a type 2 objection, more commonly referred to as an opt-out in communications with patients. The HSCIC has started to uphold type 2 objections from 29 April 2016 in line with a Direction from the Secretary of State.
The delay in implementing the objections from the time they were first offered (January 2014) has been investigated by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) following a complaint. The ICO has ruled that a breach of the Data Protection Act has taken place as the HSCIC has processed data unfairly. Therefore the HSCIC has agreed an additional set of remedial actions in an Undertaking to the ICO which are as detailed in: ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken/enforcement/health-and-social-care-information-centre-hscic
As part of the ICO Undertaking, HSCIS (Health and Social Care Information Centre) have been asked to take action regarding communication to patients about the implementation of type 2 objections and we are advising that HSCIS have confirmed they are publishing Information for patients on the NHS UK website from Wednesday 22 June 2016.
Given that the type 2 objections are recorded in the patients’ medical record held by GP practices we are using this route to advise you about patient communications via this website. Please view the link above for more information.
2014
We will soon be required to supply your personal and confidential medical information to the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). This information will be taken from the Practice in a form that can identify you. The Practice has NO choice but to allow the HSCIC to extract this information. However, individual patients can instruct their Practice to stop the transfer of their data.
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.
This information along with your postcode and NHS number but not your name and address, are sent to a secure system where it can be linked with other health information.
This allows those planning NHS services or carrying out medical research to use information from different parts of the NHS in a way which does not identify you.
You have a choice. If you are happy for your information to be used in this way you do not have to do anything.
More information can be found on the NHS website (www.nhs.uk/caredata) and it is important to read their leaflet (How Information about you helps us to provide better care (How Information about you helps us to provide better care (PDF, 311KB)). If you wish to prevent your data from being used please write to the Practice Manager or as an alternative visit website (medconfidential.org) where you can download an opt out letter and post/fax it to the practice.
If you have opted out of the summary care record please note that this does not opt you out of care.data so you will still need to contact us.