Opting out of sharing your confidential patient information
Last Updated: Tuesday, 01 September 2026Your Health Information and Your Data Choices
Information from your health and care records is used to provide you with safe and effective care.
Information may also be used to help the NHS:
- plan and improve health and care services
- improve the treatment and care patients receive
- carry out health and care research
- develop new treatments and improve services
All patient information is protected by strict rules around privacy, confidentiality and security.
You have choices about how your confidential patient information is used for research and planning.
There are two different types of opt-out: a Type 1 Opt-out and the National Data Opt-out.
Type 1 Opt-out – information held by your GP practice
A Type 1 Opt-out allows you to prevent your GP practice from sharing information that identifies you for purposes such as research and planning.
If you choose a Type 1 Opt-out, your GP practice will not share your data for research and planning.
However, NHS England may still collect and use information about you from other healthcare providers, such as hospitals.
A Type 1 Opt-out does not prevent your information being shared when it is needed for your individual care and treatment.
For example, your information can still be shared when:
- you are referred to a hospital or another healthcare provider
- another healthcare professional is involved in your care
- information is needed to provide you with treatment or a prescription
Choosing to opt out will not affect the care or treatment you receive.
How to register a Type 1 Opt-out
If you wish to register a Type 1 Opt-out, you need to complete a Type 1 Opt-out form and return it to Ainsdale Medical Centre.
Only your GP practice can process a Type 1 Opt-out.
You can register a Type 1 Opt-out, change your decision or opt back in at any time. There is no deadline for making your choice.
Download the NHS Type 1 Opt-out form
NHS information: Opt out of sharing your health records
National Data Opt-out
The National Data Opt-out is different from a Type 1 Opt-out.
The National Data Opt-out allows you to choose whether your confidential patient information can be used by NHS England and other health and care organisations for purposes such as research and planning.
If you choose to opt out, NHS England and other health and care organisations will not normally share your confidential patient information with other organisations for research and planning.
Your National Data Opt-out choice applies across the health and care system in England.
Your direct care is not affected
Choosing a National Data Opt-out will not affect the care or treatment you receive.
Your confidential patient information will continue to be used when it is needed for your individual care and treatment.
When the National Data Opt-out does not apply
There are some circumstances where your National Data Opt-out may not apply.
This can include:
- when there is a legal requirement to provide information
- when you have specifically consented to your information being used, for example as part of a particular research study
- when there is an overriding public interest
- when information that could identify you has been removed
- certain specific situations allowed under national rules
More information is available from the NHS:
NHS – When your choice about sharing data does not apply
How to make a National Data Opt-out choice
You do not need to contact Ainsdale Medical Centre to register a National Data Opt-out.
You can make, check or change your choice using the NHS National Data Opt-out service.
You can:
- make your choice online
- view or change your choice through the NHS App
- contact the NHS National Data Opt-out service by telephone
- use a paper form if required
You can change your choice at any time and there is no deadline for opting out.
NHS – Make your choice about sharing data from your health records
You can also telephone the National Data Opt-out service on:
0300 303 5678
The telephone service is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.
Further information
For more information about how your health and care information is used and protected, please visit the following NHS websites:
NHS – Opt out of sharing your health records
NHS – Make your National Data Opt-out choice