Your Data Matters to the NHS
Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.
How your data is used
Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses is collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital. It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.
Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential patient information.
You have a choice
You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can choose to opt out securely online or through a telephone service. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.
Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?
No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.
What do you need to do?
If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.
To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or to make/change your opt-out choice visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters
Medical Interoperability Gateway (MIG)
From time to time it is helpful for us to be able to share information about your health and care requirements with other health organisations that are responsible for providing you with healthcare. Across Nottinghamshire we are introducing a new system called MIG (Medical Interoperability Gateway) which will enable us to make relevant medical information available from your GP record with other healthcare professionals who are providing you with direct care. The MIG allows for relevant information to be viewed by other healthcare professionals, however before your information is accessed you will be asked for your explicit consent. Examples of organisations that may access your GP health information include NEMS Out of Hours team, walk in centres and local A&E departments.
Sharing of information in this way is designed to ensure that the healthcare professionals looking after you have the most relevant information to enable them to provide you with the most appropriate care. The type of information shared is restricted and includes a summary of current problems, current medication, allergies, recent tests, diagnosis, procedures, investigations, risks and warnings – all this information is currently held in your GP system record.
We have automatically set up the sharing facility to allow your information to be made available via the MIG. Whenever a clinician from another healthcare organisation wishes to view your GP information via the MIG they will always seek your permission before doing so; if you say “NO” they will not be able to see any information and no data will be made viewable via the MIG.
If you have any concerns about the sharing of your information or do not want your information being made available via the MIG please speak to your practice who can advise accordingly.