Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with the devolved Administrations to ensure that NHS data is protected; and whether GP surgeries will be in contact with their patients to offer an opt out option from the sharing of their data.

The General Practice Data for Planning and Research programme’s scope covers England only.

We are working with general practitioners (GPs) to effectively communicate the benefits of this new data collection and the ability of patients to opt-out if they choose to do so. We are developing an engagement and communications campaign to ensure that the healthcare system and patients are aware and understand what is planned.