National Data Opt-Out open data dashboard

This dashboard provides information on the number of unique NHS numbers with an associated national data opt-out.

The national data opt-out was introduced on 25 May 2018. It was introduced following recommendations from the National Data Guardian. It indicates that a patient does not want their confidential patient information to be shared for purposes beyond their individual care across the health and care system in England.

The service allows individuals to set a national data opt-out or reverse a previously set opt-out. It replaced the previous type 2 opt-outs which patients registered via their GP practice.

The national opt-out data is received from all sources, via the app, online portal, GP practice or over the phone. It is reported from 12 May 2021 and includes the number of people who have a national data opt-out, broken down by:

• NHS region
• NHS clinical commissioning groups
• age (10 year bands)
• gender

The publication series provides statistics on national data opt-out from July 2018 to July 2023 and information about methodology change and appropriate caveats. This dashboard provides the most up to date information on national data opt-out as the publication is no longer updated.

Although the dashboard presents daily data, the underlying data is refreshed weekly, typically on Wednesdays.

The date of the latest update is shown on the dashboard.

The charts can display the opt-out count of patients or the opt-out rate – when comparing patient or geographical groups, please use the opt-out rate (rather than opt-out count) as this takes into consideration the population of the groups. These rates do not factor in differing demographics so some unaccounted-for variation will remain.

Patients registered at a GP practice is the source for the population data. It will be updated in line with the publication series. Therefore at the start of the month the dashboard will continue using latest data available.

Daily snapshots have only been taken from 12 May 2021 as there was an initiative to monitor following publication of the GP Data for Planning and Research Data Provision Notice (DPN). The data allows users to understand and measure the possible impact of opt-outs on data published by NHS Digital. Data prior to May 2021 can be found in the publication series [MI] National Data Opt-Out - NHS Digital.

There are gaps in the timeseries where we are unable to identify any national data opt-outs due to data processing. These will be captured on the next day where data is presented.

If you need help with this dashboard, or if it isn't working properly, then contact the NHS Digital customer service centre. 

We are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except on public holidays.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0300 303 5678

The metadata below includes descriptions of the data items. Please note the data file only includes weekly data for every Wednesday since 12 May 2021.