New NHS England leaflets explain new patient data usage

NHS England has announced the launch of a new leaflet campaign that will explain to patients the benefits of sharing information about the care they have received.

Over the next four weeks, each of England's 26.5 million households will receive a Better Information Means Better Care pamphlet, which will detail how the distribution of patient data helps ensure the quality and safety of services is consistent across the country.

Patients will be informed of how they have the right to object to their data being used for purposes other than their direct care, while also being reminded how the spread of information is helping to ensure different diseases and conditions receive more NHS investment.

Dr Geraint Lewis, chief data officer at NHS England, said: "This initiative is about upgrading our information systems to get a more complete picture of the quality of care being delivered across all parts of the NHS and social care."

The leaflet campaign has earned the support of the Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association, both of which highlighted the importance of data usage in NHS service planning, as well as the need to ensure the wishes and privacy of patients are respected.