National Data Opt-Out Policy

The national data opt-out gives everyone the ability to stop health and social care organisations from sharing their confidential patient information for research and planning purposes.

This opt-out applies to the use of data for purposes beyond your individual care, such as research into new treatments, planning health services, or analysing population health trends.

The national data opt-out applies to confidential patient information that is used for purposes beyond your individual care. This includes:

• Information about your physical or mental health
• Information about the care you have received
• Any information that could identify you

There are some circumstances where your opt-out choice will not apply. These exceptions exist to protect public health and ensure essential services can operate. Your data may still be used when:

• Legal mandate or direction: There is a legal requirement to share the data (e.g., court orders, statutory requirements)
• Overriding public interest: There is an urgent need to protect public health, such as managing pandemics like COVID-19
• Your individual care: The data is needed to provide your direct care and treatment
• You have given explicit consent: You have specifically agreed to your data being used for a particular purpose
• Data is anonymised: The information cannot be used to identify you
• Approved research with legal basis: Certain research approved under specific legal frameworks

You can choose to opt out of having your confidential patient information used for research and planning. To register your opt-out choice, you can:

• Online: Use the NHS national data opt-out service
• By phone: Call the NHS Digital contact centre
• In person: Speak to your GP practice or healthcare provider

You can change your opt-out choice at any time. Your choice will be recorded and shared with health and social care organisations.

As a healthcare technology provider, Elm Digital Health is committed to:

• Respecting your national data opt-out choice
• Ensuring our systems are compliant with the national data opt-out policy
• Helping healthcare organisations we work with to implement the opt-out correctly
• Providing clear information about how your data is used
• Maintaining robust data protection and security measures

In addition to the national data opt-out, you have other rights regarding your personal data under UK data protection law, including:

• The right to access your personal data
• The right to rectify inaccurate data
• The right to erasure (in certain circumstances)
• The right to restrict processing
• The right to data portability
• The right to object to processing

For more information about these rights, please see our Privacy Policy.

For more information about the national data opt-out, you can:

• Visit the NHS Digital website
• Speak to your GP practice or healthcare provider
• Contact the NHS Digital contact centre

If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle the national data opt-out, please contact us: