Secure Data Environment Information

Our GP practice is taking part in a project to improve access to patient records for healthcare researchers and planners.

Giving researchers and planners access to patient information can help find new treatments and improve care for everyone.

They will only see coded information like your medicines, or what illnesses you have. Your name and any personal details are removed or replaced with a code before anything is accessed. They are only allowed access if they meet strict security and ethical standards. Their research must also be in the public interest. Your health records will stay within the NHS, and researchers will only be allowed to view the parts of your record that they have permission to access.

Find out more about the North East and North Cumbria Secure Data Environment.

Secure Data Environment key Points

  • Identifiable details like name, address etc are removed so researchers and analysts won’t know who the individual is
  • Being able to share health and care records helps researchers and planners understand more about healthcare conditions and what treatments work best
  • Only approved researchers and planners are allowed to access the information – this is approved by a group of experts and members of the public. The public members assess whether the project is in the public interest. We also make sure only people from trusted organisations can access the information.
  • People can opt out of their data being added into the Secure Data Environment. More information on the opt out page.
  • If people have already got a National Data Opt Out, their details will not be included in the Secure Data Environment so there is no need to opt out twice.
  • Useful links:

Opt Out

Patients who would prefer to opt out will need to contact the Secure Data Environment team. This can’t be done at the GP practice.

The Secure Data Environment website, have an opt out page: Opt Out | North East and North Cumbria Secure Data Environment

There are also details about how to opt out on provided leaflets. An introductory and a detailed leaflet are also available.

If patients have already got a National Data Opt Out, their details will not be included in the Secure Data Environment so there is no need to opt out twice.

Process is as follows:

SDE opt out process

To opt out of the North East and North Cumbria Secure Data Environment, patients can contact by email, telephone or post.

Patient will need to provide with the following details so the service can remove them:

  • NHS Number (if known)
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Gender at birth
  • Address
  • Telephone number (optional)

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0191 916 9353 (available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Post:

Governance Team
North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board
Pemberton House
Colima Avenue
Sunderland Enterprise Park
Sunderland
SR5 3XB