National Data Opt Out

At Budleigh Salterton Medical Centre, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is used appropriately, lawfully and securely.

When you receive healthcare, information about you is collected and recorded in your medical record. This information helps healthcare professionals provide you with safe and effective care. It may also be used, where permitted by law, for purposes beyond your direct care.

How Your Information May Be Used

Confidential patient information may be used for purposes beyond your individual care, including:

• Improving the quality and standards of healthcare services.
• Planning and commissioning health services.
• Public health activities.
• Medical research approved under appropriate legal and ethical frameworks.
• Monitoring the safety and effectiveness of treatments and services.

Where possible, anonymised or pseudonymised information is used so that individuals cannot be identified.

National Data Opt-out

The National Data Opt-out allows patients to choose whether their confidential patient information is used for research and planning purposes beyond their individual care.

If you choose to opt out:

• Your information will still be used to support your direct care and treatment.
• Your choice will not affect the care you receive.
• Your preference will be applied where the National Data Opt-out applies by law.

How to Set or Change Your Choice

You can find out more about the National Data Opt-out and register, view or change your choice at Your NHS Your Data Matters

Alternatively, you can contact the NHS App or NHS England's National Data Opt-out service using the contact details available on the website.

Further Information

Further information about how health and care organisations use patient information is available from:

• Health Research Authority
• Understanding Patient Data