Important
There's no deadline for opting out of sharing your confidential patient information for research and planning. You can make or change your choice at any time.
Make your choice online
Use this service to:
- choose if your confidential patient information is used for research and planning
- change or check your current choice
Your choice will be applied by:
- NHS Digital
- all other health and care organisations
Any choice you make will not impact your individual care.
Read more about the national data opt-out
Before you start
You must:
- be aged 13 or older
- have access to your email or mobile phone
- have your NHS number or your postcode registered with your GP surgery
Where can I find my NHS number?
An NHS number is a 10 digit number, like 485 777 3456.
You can find your NHS number by logging in to a GP online service or on any document sent to you by the NHS, such as your:
- prescriptions
- test results
- hospital referral letters
- appointment letters
Ask your GP surgery for help if you cannot find your NHS number.
Other ways to make a choice
You can also make or change a choice for:
- yourself by phone, email or post
- someone else (either a child under 13 or someone you can legally make decisions for) by email or post
NHS Digital's privacy notice explains how your data is used to apply your choice.