Our Transparency Information

With your consent, personal data can be used to conduct research that is in the public’s interest. This is in accordance with the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research.

How this data is used depends on the research study. You will be informed about this by the Research Team. General information can be found below:

How will we use information about you?

Some research requires information to be collected about you, from yourself or your medical records. This will be used to carry out the research, or to check the research is being done properly.

We will make sure only those who need to will have access to your personal data, and will anonymise it, when possible, meaning your data can’t be linked to a name or contact details. We will take measures to keep all information about you safe and secure.

Sometimes, other organisations can be involved in our research. This can include universities, other NHS organisations or health companies, in this country or abroad. In this case, information will only be shared and used to conduct research in accordance with the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research. It will not identify you, be used to contact you, and will not affect your care, or any decisions related to it, such as insurance.

How will we use information about you after the study ends?

Once we have finished the study, we will keep some of the data so we can check the results. We will write our reports in a way that no-one can work out that you took part in the study.

It will then be stored for a specified time, depending on the research study. The study data will then be fully anonymised and securely archived or destroyed.

What are your choices about how your information is used?

You can stop being part of the study at any time, without giving a reason, but we will keep information about you that we already have. You have the right to ask us to access, remove, change or delete data we hold about you for the purposes of the study. You can also object to our processing of your data. We might not always be able to do this if it means we cannot use your data to do the research. If so, we will tell you why we cannot do this.

Where can you find out more about how your information is used?

You can find out more about how we use your information:

in your study specific Patient Information Sheet or Leaflet
by contacting the Research team via email, rjah.researchoffice@nhs.net, or telephone, 01691 404142/404210.
by visiting the Health Research Authority’s website: http://www.hra.nhs.uk/patientdataandresearch

How can I raise a complaint about the use of my personal data?

You can contact our Data Protection Officer on 01691 404290 who will look into the matter. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, or believe the matter is unlawful, you can raise your request to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).