Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the transfer of patient records from GPs to a centralised NHS Digital system, what steps his Department has taken to publicise the patient opt-out option before 23 June 2021.

NHS Digital proactively promoted this new data collection through their website, engagement with media, stakeholder and patient groups and social media channels. They sought to raise awareness of the collection and its importance to the health and care system, but also to provide patients with a choice if they do not want their data to be used in this way by registering a data-opt-out.

The new system will start on 1 September, allowing a further two months where we will engage with patients, doctors, health charities and others to strengthen awareness and understanding.