OpenSAFELY

What is OpenSAFELY?

OpenSAFELY is a secure NHS research platform which allows approved researchers to analyse health information from GP practices and other NHS services.  The aim is to answer important questions about patient care, population health and NHS planning.

The platform was originally created at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to understand how the virus affected people and how treatments and vaccines worked.  It has since been extended to support a wide range of NHS research studies.

How does it work?

When we share data with OpenSAFELY, your personal details (such as your name, address and NHS number) are removed.  This process is called pseudonymisation.  Researchers only see coded health information, such as test results, medications or diagnoses, linked together in a secure environment.

Researchers do not have access to raw GP systems or to identifiable patient records.  All research queries are logged, approved and monitored.

Why is this important?

By using OpenSAFELY, the NHS can: Monitor the safety and effectiveness of medicines and treatments; Understand trends in long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer; Improve planning of NHS services and resources; Carry out rapid public health research while protecting patient confidentiality.

Why do we have to do this?

NHS England has issued a Data Provision Notice (DPN) under the Health and Social Care Act.  This makes it a legal requirement for GP practices to provide pseudonymised patient data to OpenSAFELY.  The BMA and RCGP supports this and recommend that we comply as soon as possible.

Your rights

You have the right to be informed about how your data is used.  That is why this leaflet and the practice’s Privacy Notice explain what is happening with OpenSAFELY.  Because data is pseudonymised and researchers cannot identify you, rights such as access or rectification apply differently than for identifiable records.  However, safeguards and oversight are in place to protect you.

How is my data kept safe?

• Data is pseudonymised before it’s shared • Only approved NHS researchers can use OpenSAFELY • All research projects must meet strict legal and ethical standards • The system is regularly audited for security and compliance • Data cannot be downloaded or removed from the secure platform.

You can learn more about the process by watching this short video clip.