Privacy Notice

GP Data for Planning & Research

NHS Digital will not collect patients’ names or addresses. Any other data that could directly identify patients (such as NHS Number, date of birth, full postcode) is replaced with unique codes which are produced by de-identification software before the data is shared with NHS Digital.

This process is called pseudonymisation and means that patients will not be identified directly in the data. NHS Digital will be able to use the software to convert the unique codes back to data that could directly identify patients in certain circumstances, and where there is a valid legal reason.

We will collect structured and coded data from patient medical records.

NHS Digital will collect:

data about diagnoses, symptoms, observations, test results, medications, allergies, immunisations, referrals, recalls and appointments, including information about physical, mental and sexual health.
data on sex, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
data about staff who have treated patients.

NHS Digital does not collect:

name and address (except for postcode, protected in a unique coded form).
written notes (free text), such as the details of conversations with doctors and nurses.
images, letters, and documents.
coded data that is not needed due to its age - for example medication, referral and appointment data that is over 10 years old.
coded data that GPs are not permitted to share by law - for example certain codes about IVF treatment, and certain information about gender re-assignment.

Medication/Prescribing

Purpose : Prescriptions containing personal identifiable and health data will be shared with chemists/pharmacies, in order to provide patients with essential medication or treatment as their health needs dictate. This process is achieved either by face to face contact with the patient or electronically. Where patients have specified a nominated pharmacy they may wish their repeat or acute prescriptions to be ordered and sent directly to the pharmacy making a more efficient process. Arrangements can also be made with the pharmacy to deliver medication

Legal Basis : Article 6(1)(e); “necessary… in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller’ And Article 9(2)(h) as stated below

Patients will be required to nominate a preferred pharmacy.

Processor – Pharmacy of choice

Last Updated 14 May 2025