Guidance for health and care staff

Guidance overview of the national data opt-out policy, helping you understand how the national data opt-out works and whether data uses or disclosures are in scope.

The national data opt-out operational policy guidance provides the legal definitions and policy behind the national data opt-out.

All health and care organisations in England are required to comply with the national data opt-out policy by September 2021. (This deadline has been extended to enable health and care organisations to focus their resources on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.) Find out what you need to do for your organisation to comply.

Nursing, midwifery and care staff have a key role in helping patients understand the importance of information and these resources help you to support your patients make an informed choice about how their confidential patient information is used for research and planning.

Pocket guide for nursing, midwifery and care staff

Prompt card for nursing, midwifery and care staff

You can order copies of the pocket guide and prompt card from the Health Publications website, by selecting the ‘Your Data Matters to the NHS’ campaign.

Guidance for helplines

Helplines are highly effective at engaging with, and providing support to, patients who may find it challenging to access mainstream healthcare provision. This printable guide explains the national data opt-out in more detail, and provides information for call handlers on where to signpost callers for more information.

Guidance for the voluntary sector

We know that local patient groups, voluntary sector organisations, faith groups and other local forums are well placed to have conversations with their members and networks, including about sharing of health and care information. This printable guide is designed to inform voluntary and community sector partners about the national data opt-out.