NHS OpenSAFELY / Type 1 Opt-Out

Supporting Vital NHS Research While Protecting Your Piracy

OpenSAFELY is a secure data analytics service run by NHS England, with strong support from the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). It allows approved researchers to study anonymised health data to improve care and support public health.

What is OpenSAFELY

  • Developed by the University of Oxford and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
  • Originally created for COVID-19 research, now expanded to wider NHS studies.
  • Over 200 COVID-19 projects have led to 90+ research papers and reports.

From July 2025, all GP practices using SystmOne (TPP) and EMIS Web (Optum) will support OpenSAFELY research. This pilot runs until March 2027.

Is OpenSAFELY used for Patient Care?

Not currently. It’s only used for research. In future, it may support care (e.g. identifying patients at risk), but any changes will be agreed with BMA & RCGP.

Researchers can access:

  • Coded information: diagnoses, prescriptions, test results.
  • Demographics: age, sex, region.
  • Hospital and A&E data.

Researchers cannot access:

  • Identifiable details: name, address, phone number.
  • Written notes, letters, images (e.g. x-rays, photos).
  • Transparency: All study methods and changes are publicly visible.
  • Security: Analyses run inside GP systems — data is never sent elsewhere.
  • Privacy: Only anonymised results are shared, ensuring no patient can be identified.

Combining data from services like the Office for National Statistics helps researchers understand complex health issues, such as how conditions affect COVID-19 outcomes

Additional Protections

  • Researchers use dummy data to develop studies.
  • All must complete a Safe Researcher course.
  • Ethical standards are strictly followed.
  • GPs retain control and can disable access if needed.
  • All approved projects and lead researchers are listed on the https://www.opensafely.org

Type 1 Opt-Out Form

Your health records contain a type of data called confidential patient information. This can be used to help with research and planning. You can choose to stop this information from being used, and also make a choice for someone else, such as children under 13.

Your choice will apply to health care systems in England only.

How to opt-out?

To opt-out online, visit the following link www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice/ or by ringing 0300 303 5678.

Please also complete a Type 1 Opt-out form for EACH household member that would like to opt-out.

Type 1 Opt-out Form

You can complete the form and hand in at reception, send via post, or scan in a copy and send back to us via email at wlmc.patientenquiries@nhs.net