Guidance

Patient confidentiality in NHS population screening programmes

Information about what personal information is used by the screening programmes and why. Includes your options, rights and how to find out more.

From:
NHS England
Published
1 January 2015
Last updated
10 October 2024 — See all updates

Documents

National population screening programmes: the information we use and why, and your options

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Details

This publication explains how and why population screening programmes collect and process data. It covers:

  • how your information is protected and kept confidential
  • the information used by NHS England (NHSE) to invite people to be screened
  • the information used by NHSE to ensure screening is safe and effective
  • the screening programmes and your rights
  • how long personal information is kept
  • the information shared by NHS organisations
  • population screening programmes and the law
  • how to find out more or raise a concern

This publication was previously published by Public Health England, which closed on 30 September 2021.

Updates to this page

Published 1 January 2015
Last updated 10 October 2024 + show all updates

  1. Added clarification that publication was previously published by Public Health England.

  2. Information updated throughout to reflect the move of responsibilities from Public Health England (PHE) to NHS England.

  3. Updated privacy notice.

  4. Added information about the screening helpdesk.

  5. Added possibility of GPs sharing relevant information with screening services.

  6. New and expanded information to reflect the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

  7. Guidance updated for accuracy and clarity.

  8. Added information about patient confidentiality processes in cancer screening.

  9. First published.

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