How We Use Your Information

At Crocus Medical Practice, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is used appropriately, securely, and transparently.

Information about your health and care is collected whenever you access NHS or social care services. This information helps healthcare professionals provide you with safe and effective care and treatment. It can also be used, where permitted by law, to support healthcare planning, service improvement, and medical research.

The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and being clear about how it is used.

Why Is Health Data Used?

Information collected during your care may be used to:

• Support your individual care and treatment.
• Improve healthcare services and patient outcomes.
• Plan local NHS services and resources.
• Help determine where new services, clinics, and facilities are needed.
• Support research into new treatments, medicines, and healthcare innovations.
• Ensure the NHS has the right number of healthcare professionals and resources available to meet future demand.

Wherever possible, information used for research and planning purposes does not directly identify you. However, there are occasions where confidential patient information may need to be used where there is a clear legal basis and appropriate safeguards are in place.

Your Choice

You have a choice about whether your confidential patient information is used for research and planning purposes outside of your individual care.

If you are happy for your information to be used in this way, you do not need to do anything.

If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can register a National Data Opt-Out. This can be done securely online or by telephone through NHS services.

You can change your decision at any time.

Will Opting Out Affect My Care?

No.

Choosing to register a National Data Opt-Out will not affect:

• The care and treatment you receive.
• Access to NHS services.
• Referrals, appointments, or prescriptions.
• Invitations to national screening programmes, such as bowel cancer screening.
• The way healthcare professionals use information to provide your direct care.

Your information will continue to be used where necessary to support your care and treatment.

How to Register or Manage Your Choice

If you would like to find out more about:

• How your information is used
• The benefits of data sharing
• How patient information is protected
• Registering, checking, or changing a National Data Opt-Out

Please visit:

NHS Your Data Matters https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters

Alternatively, you can manage your choice through the NHS telephone service as detailed on the NHS website.

Further Information

Crocus Medical Practice supports the NHS commitment to transparency, confidentiality, and patient choice. If you have any questions about how your information is used, please contact the Practice and ask to speak with our Data Protection Lead.