Keeping data safe and benefitting the public

Understanding the health and care information we collect

Information about you and your health is recorded when you receive health care or social care, to help with your care and treatment. This is what most people call your medical records.

Your choices on information we hold about you

Where we collect and use information that could identify you, you can make certain choices, including whether to opt out of sharing your confidential patient information.

Your data

NHS Digital collects, processes, and works with your health data. We protect patient data, keep it secure, and only use it for authorised purposes.

Data points blog

Our experts explain how we are using data to drive research and improve NHS and care services.

Cyber and data security

We protect our NHS from cyber attacks and we monitor for new threats 24 hours a day. Our teams support organisations across the NHS with advice, assessments, and training.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - information

How we've ensured compliance with data protection law, to make sure health and care data is always collected, stored, analysed and shared securely and legally.

NHS Digital's legal right to collect information

Explaining why we are legally allowed to collect health and care information.

Transparency notice: how we use your personal data

How we use personal data, in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including a register of processing activities, and your rights.