New NHS Digital Data Collection
On the 12th May 2021, NHS Digital issued a Data Provision Notice to all GP Practices to notify them of a new data collection process that was due to begin on the 1st September 2021. The new data collection is known as the General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDfPR) will replace GPES (a current extraction), and will be a daily extraction used to support health and care planning in England, looking at the following:
- research of the long-term impact of coronavirus on the population;
- analysis of health inequalities;
- research and development of cures for serious illnesses.
Further information regarding the new data collection can be found on the NHS website. GP Practices are legally required under Sections 259(1)(a) and 259(5) of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to release this information to NHS Digital, who have been directed by the Secretary of State under the General Practice Data for Planning and Research Directions 2021 to establish and operate a system for the collection and analysis of the information specified within the Directions.
- If a patient does not want their identifiable data to be shared outside of the GP Practice, except for their own direct care, a patient is currently able to opt-out. To do this, they need to register a Type 1 opt-out with the Practice, which means that their data will not be extracted. Type 1 opt-out forms can be downloaded from NHS Digital [EXTERNAL WORD DOCUMENT]. Patients don’t have to use this form, you can just ask at the Practice.
- If a patient registers an opt-out with the National Data Opt-Out, their data will be extracted from the Practice. However, the National Data Opt-Out will be applied on access or dissemination of the data. In this instance, this would mean that the information is shared with NHS Digital, but that they will not share it with third parties such as universities and charities. To register an opt-out with the National Data Opt-Out, patients need to go to www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.
Privacy Notice June 3rd 2021 (DOCX, 41KB)
Type 1 Opt out form (DOCX, 44KB)
For more information about how the NHS uses your patient data from GP practices to improve health and care please watch this short video.
General Practice Data for Planning and Research programme
On 8 June, a pause to the data collection was announced until 1 September 2021, to allow time for NHS Digital to speak with GPs, patients, health charities and others, and strengthen the plan. A letter from NHS Digital was sent to general practice on Tuesday this week, confirming that, while NHS Digital will continue to develop the infrastructure and engagement for the programme, they are not setting a specific start date for the collection of data. This means that the 1 September date no longer stands.