Anonymised data

Information that does not identify you. Your name, NHS number and address are removed before the data are used for research.

Approved researchers

Researchers who are authorised to use QResearch data for a project approved by the QResearch Science Committee. They only receive anonymised information.

Coded medical information

Health information recorded as standard codes, such as diagnoses, prescriptions and test results. Free-text notes are not included.

Confidentiality

Keeping your personal information private and secure.

Data extraction

Securely taking information from GP computer systems so it can be anonymised and added to the research database.

Data linkage

Matching information from different health records (such as GP and hospital records) to improve research accuracy.

Direct care

The care you receive from doctors and nurses to diagnose and treat you. QResearch does not affect your direct care.

GP practice

Your local NHS doctor’s surgery where you are registered.

Identifiers

Personal details such as your name, NHS number, postcode and date of birth that could identify you. These are removed before any data is stored

National DataOpt-out

A choice that allows you to stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning beyond your individual care. For more information see here

NHS England IM1 Platform

A secure NHS system that allows approved organisations to extract data from GP computer systems in a controlled and auditable way. In the QResearch process, the IM1 platform supports accurate record linkage before data are anonymised. More information is available from NHS England (GP IT systems guidance)

Opt out (QResearch-specific)

You can ask your GP practice manager to record that you do not want your anonymised data included in QResearch.

Patient safety

Reducing avoidable harm in healthcare. QResearch supports research to improve patient safety.

Prediction tools (QRISK, QCancer, QDiabetes, QCovid)

Tools developed using QResearch data that help estimate someone’s risk of certain health conditions.

Example: QRisk3

Public interest

Work that benefits society overall, such as improving healthcare across the NHS.

QResearch

A large, not-for-profit health research database hosted by Queen Mary University of London. It uses anonymised GP data to improve healthcare.

Research

Studies that help improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and patient safety.

Section 251 of the NHS Act

A legal provision that allows confidential patient information to be used for specific purposes, such as medical research, without asking every individual for consent in certain limited situations. This can only happen with strict safeguards and independent oversight (for example, advice from the Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG)). You can read the legislation here: NHS Act 2006 – Section 251

Security

Technical and organisational safeguards used to keep data safe.

UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

UK laws that set rules for how personal data must be handled. More Info