Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.

How your data is used

Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses is collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital. It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.

Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential patient information.

You have a choice

You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can choose to opt out securely online or through a telephone service. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.

Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?

No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.

What do you need to do?

If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.

To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or to make/change your opt-out choice visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.

Your NHS Data Matters printable patient leaflet

Patient GDPR Privacy Notice

Covid-19 Privacy Notice

Why do we need to share information?

To provide the best treatment, care and support to you as a patient or service user it is essential that health and social care professionals have access to the most up-to-date information. Information is already shared between health and social care organisations by phone and through paper records, and the NHS is aiming to be paper-free at the point of care by 2020. The Bolton Care Record allows this sharing process to happen more efficiently, enabling better care for you.

The benefits for you…

• Joined up care is safer care
• Accident and Emergency doctors will be able to access information in an emergency such as allergies and health issues.
• More time spent on you and your care, instead of going over the same information
• Less paperwork
• Fewer unnecessary clinical tests
• Better self-management for patients
• More accurate prescriptions
• Out of hours would be able to access blood test results that may have been taken at the hospital

Why do we need to share information?

To provide the best treatment, care and support to you as a patient or service user it is essential that health and social care professionals have access to the most up-to-date information.

What information shall be shared?

• Address and telephone number – so we have one set of contact details.
• Diagnosis list – to make sure your health or social care professional have an accurate and complete record of your care.
• Medications – so everyone treating you can see what medicines you’ve currently been prescribed.
• Allergies – to make sure you aren’t prescribed or given any medicines you could have an adverse reaction to.
• Test results – to speed up your treatment and care.
• Referrals, clinic letters and discharge information – to make sure the people caring for you have all the information they need about other treatment you’re having elsewhere.

Do I have to share my records?

You can choose not to have a Bolton Care Record. It is your choice but sharing your medical and social care information through a Bolton Care Record will make it easier to provide the best care and support for you.

What do I do if I don’t want to be part of the Bolton Care Record?

You will need to contact your local GP practice and tell them why you do not want to be part of the Bolton Care Record. Someone from the practice will then discuss with you the best option for your care. This shall be based on an individual clinical risk assessment.

For more information visit - www.boltoncarerecord.org