Information about you and the care you receive is shared, in a secure system, by healthcare staff to support your treatment and care. NHS England would like to link information from all the different places where you receive care, such as your GP, hospital and community service to help provide a full picture.

Information such as your postcode and NHS number, but not your name, will be used to link your records in a secure system, so your identity is protected. Information which does not reveal your identity can then be used by others, such as researchers and those planning health services, to make sure we provide the best care possible for everyone.

This will allow comparisons to be made between the care provided in one area against another.

How your information is used and shared is controlled by law and strict rules are in place to protect your privacy. We need to make sure that you know this is happening and the choices you have.

If you are happy for your information to be shared you do not need to do anything. If you do not want your information to be shared outside the GP practice, you must inform us.

Please pick up a leaflet from the practice explaining the process, its aims and your rights.