The intended audience for this document comprises both individuals who are responsible for ensuring that the legal obligations of data protection and confidentiality are met and implemented and also those who are processing patient data within health and adult social care organisations. The former group may include the information governance lead, Caldicott Guardian, data protection officer, chief information officer, chief clinical information officer, senior information risk owner and others responsible for data protection and compliance. The latter group may include information analysts and data processing staff. In essence this includes anyone who is responsible for the processing or handling of patient data and, therefore, may be required to apply the national data opt-out policy.
This document may also be of interest to researchers, members of the public or healthcare professionals who have a particular interest in this subject although other more suitable materials are available on the national data opt-out pages.
This document is not intended to support members of the public in setting national data opt-outs or health and adult social care professionals in providing guidance or signposting to the public. Other resources for this purpose are provided on the: