‘Your Data Matters to the NHS’ is a campaign which informs the public that the strict rules about how data can and cannot be used were strengthened from May 2018. Individuals can choose whether their confidential patient information is used for research and planning. The NHS is developing a new system to give patients more control over how their confidential patient information is used. The system will offer patients and the public the opportunity to make an informed choice about whether they wish for their confidential patient information to be used only for their individual care and treatment or also used for research and planning purposes.

If you would like to find out about how data saves lives a series of animations is available at www.patientdata.org.uk.

Download - A guide to the national data opt-out for carers

This additional guidance has been created to help carers through the process of supporting someone they care for to make the decision, or to make a decision on their behalf if necessary. This document assumes that the reader already understands the purpose of the national data opt-out. To find out about the national data opt-out visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters