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.

Documents

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

Contact the screening helpdesk with any queries about this publication, making sure you include its full title.

Published 1 January 2015
Last updated 29 November 2022 + show all updates
  1. Information updated throughout to reflect the move of responsibilities from Public Health England (PHE) to NHS England.

  2. Updated privacy notice.

  3. Added information about the screening helpdesk.

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

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

  6. Guidance updated for accuracy and clarity.

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

  8. First published.