COVID-19 GPES Data For Pandemic Planning and Research (GDPPR)

The data can only be used for the purposes of COVID-19 in accordance with the COVID-19 Public Health Directions 2020.

Sub-licensing is not permitted for this dataset.  

Re-ID for direct care purposes is not permitted for this dataset.

Pertaining to the creation, publication or circulation of results outside of the controller(s) / processor(s):   

• a) All efforts must be made to ensure no individual (including a health care professional) can be identified (must any published/shared results are statistically non‐disclosive)
• b) All efforts must be made to ensure no GP practice or Primary Care Network (PCN) can be identified unless there is written evidence that their CCG or Local Medical Committee have obtained such permission from practices;  or similar agreement from the BMA/RCGP
• c) Results must not be used for performance management of GP practices or PCNs, unless it has been explicitly agreed, and in writing, through normal negotiating routes with the BMA

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to increased demand on general practices, including an increasing number of requests to provide patient data to inform planning and support vital research on the cause, effects, treatments and outcomes for patients of the virus.   

To support the response to the coronavirus outbreak, NHS Digital has been legally directed to collect and analyse healthcare information about patients, including from their GP record, for the duration of the coronavirus emergency period, under the COVID-19 Public Health Directions 2020 (COVID-19 Direction). All GP practices in England are legally required to share data with NHS Digital for this purpose under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. More information about this requirement is contained in the Data Provision Notice issued by NHS Digital to GP practices. 

This collection will reduce burden on general practices, allowing them to focus on patient care and support the coronavirus response. 

For more information visit General Practice Extraction Service (GPES) Data for pandemic planning and research

Direction

Find out more about the Direction.

Legal basis for the collection of the data

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 (HSCA 2012) section 254. 

Data Provision Notice  

COVID-19 GPES Data For Pandemic Planning and Research (GDPPR) Data Provision Notice

Legal basis for the provision of data  

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 (HSCA 2012) section 259. 

Legal basis for processing the data

The UK GDPR Article 6 lawful basis for the processing of the personal data within this collection falls under: 

• Article 6(1)(e) processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller

The UK GDPR Article 9 condition for processing special categories of personal data within the collection falls under: 

• Article 9 2 (h) processing is necessary for the provision of health care or treatment, and for the management of health care systems or services

Transparency notice  

View the Transparency Notice.

Lag time from collection to dissemination  

Information to follow.

Frequency  

This General Practice Extraction Service (GPES) data will be extracted as a snapshot in time extract on the initial collection.

A subsequent fortnightly extraction will then continue until the expiry of the COVID-19 Direction. This is currently 31 March 2022 but will be reviewed in September 2020 and every 6 months thereafter. The frequency of the data collection may change in response to demand. 

Commissioning extracts specification  

To be confirmed. 

Suppression rules 

To be confirmed.