Linkage to NHS Records

To support research into health and ageing, we periodically link participant information with health records held by NHS England and other approved health data providers.

Where participants have provided consent, linkage is undertaken on the basis of that consent. In some circumstances, it may not be possible or practical to obtain consent from all individuals whose records are required for the research. In these cases, we may rely on support provided under Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006, following independent review by the Health Research Authority’s Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG). This support allows identifiable health information to be disclosed for approved research without breaching the common law duty of confidentiality.

Only the minimum information necessary is used for linkage purposes and strict security, confidentiality and data protection safeguards are in place. Information obtained through linkage is used solely for approved research and is handled in accordance with UK data protection legislation.

Your Choices

If you do not wish your information to be used for NHS record linkage as part of the SABRE study, you at any time by contacting the SABRE Study Team at sabre@ucl.ac.uk.  We can discuss your concerns or objection to this processing.

You can also find out more about the NHS National Data Opt-Out and register your choice through NHS services.