National data opt-out guidance for researchers

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1. Audience and scope

Audience

The intended audience for this guidance is health and care researchers, such as those undertaking research in universities, NHS Trusts, research institutes, and organisations that fund and support researchers, such as the Medical Research Council (MRC), who have an interest in understanding and managing the impact of the national data opt-out on research.

Scope of the guidance

Based on the intended audience, this guidance will:

• provide researchers with an understanding of national data opt-outs and when these are applied
• provide researchers with an understanding of the types of organisations who will need to comply with national data opt-outs, and the importance of respecting individuals’ data sharing preferences
• enable researchers to understand how the application of national data opt-outs across the health and adult social care sector will affect their datasets and research studies
• set out products and resources available to researchers which will support them to manage the impact of national data opt-outs on their research studies
• signpost researchers to other resources and information

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