Petition Calls for Clear National Opt-Out
A petition backed by 32,000 names, created by Gemma Smith, urges the Labour Party government to introduce a clear national opt-out for NHS data processed in the Federated Data Platform (FDP) and National Data Integration Tenant (NDIT), and to require a full public consultation before any further expansion of these systems. The petition highlights concerns that technical documents show national processing of identifiable data, while public explanations may describe only anonymous or aggregate use.
DHSC Response: Existing Opt-Out Explained
In its response, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) explained that the National Data Opt-Out (NDOO) prevents confidential patient information from being used for research and planning purposes, but does not apply to direct care, anonymised data, or information required by law. The public can make their choice online or through non-digital channels. The DHSC noted that public engagement recommendations delivered in 2025 will shape changes to the NDOO.
NDIT and FDP: No Specific Opt-Out Planned
NHS England carefully assesses all data processing within NDIT and the FDP. The DHSC stated that the NDOO does not apply to NDIT processing because NHS England is legally required, under a direction from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to process this data to create national insights and dashboards. Therefore, there is no specific opt-out for NDIT, or plans to introduce one, as the data processing occurs under a legal requirement.
Similarly, the NDOO does not apply to the FDP because no confidential patient information is processed by any product in the national platform of the FDP to which the NDOO would apply. Confidential patient information used in a local platform of the FDP is only used for direct care purposes, and thus the NDOO does not apply.
