Research is essential for improving healthcare, developing new treatments, and understanding diseases. At UHNM, we sometimes use patient information to support research that benefits patients locally and across the UK.
This notice explains:
• Why we use patient information for research
• How we protect your privacy
• Your rights and choices
• Who can access your data
• How to manage your preferences
Why We Use Patient Information
Research helps:
• Prevent illness
• Improve treatments
• Enhance the quality of care
Your health data allows researchers to:
• Understand patterns of disease
• Develop new medicines and therapies
• Improve NHS services for everyone
Patient information also supports planning:
• Designing NHS services
• Making care safer
• Improving quality and efficiency
With your information, we can develop better treatments for conditions like cancer and diabetes and plan services that meet the needs of patients and families.
We follow strict data protection laws, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and NHS confidentiality standards.
• Most research uses anonymised data—information that cannot identify you.
• If identifiable data is needed, we will always ask for your consent.
• All research projects undergo ethical approval and governance checks before data is shared.
You decide whether your confidential patient information is used for research and planning. You have the right to:
• Opt out of your confidential patient information being used for research and planning
• Access details of how your data is used
• Withdraw consent at any time if you have previously agreed to share identifiable data
Opting out will not affect your care. However, some legal obligations (e.g., safeguarding) require sharing information even if you opt out.
Your opt-out applies within England only. Different rules apply in Scotland and Wales.
You can:
• Use the National Data Opt-Out Service online
• Contact UHNM’s Data Protection Officer at DPO@uhnm.nhs.uk
• Act on behalf of someone else (e.g., a child under 16 or someone who lacks capacity)
What Counts as Patient Information
• Special category data: Information that identifies you and relates to your health, care, or treatment.
• Information such as your name and address is not special category data but may be used to contact you.
Your patient information is used in two ways:
1. To provide your care
Healthcare professionals use your information to deliver treatment and share it with other relevant professionals.
2. For research and planning
Patient information helps:
• Plan and improve health services
• Research and develop cures for serious illnesses
Most of the time, only anonymised data is used. If identifiable data is needed, we will always ask for your consent.
Research bodies and organisations may include:
• University and hospital researchers
• Medical royal colleges
• Pharmaceutical companies developing new treatments
Requests to use data follow strict governance rules. Identifiable data is only used with your consent.
Your data will never be used for:
• Marketing
• Insurance (unless you request this)
You can see how NHS Digital uses data by visiting the Data Release Register:
https://digital.nhs.uk/services/data-access-request-service-dars/data-uses-register
Version Control – v2 – 16.09.25
