Your information

Keeping your information secure is of the utmost importance to us.

The Care Information Exchange is hosted within the NHS network, so it is secure. Patient information is encrypted so that only those people with consent to view the information can do so. All health and care professionals have a duty to protect the confidentiality of patient and service user information.

How information gets onto the Care information Exchange

You and your health and care professionals can enter information into the Care Information Exchange, and data may be transferred from the IT systems used in GP practices, hospitals and other health and care organisations.

How we will use your email address

Your email address will be your unique user name when you log in to the Care Information Exchange. We will use it to send you your initial instructions for activating your account as well as notifications when there are updates to your information.

Integrated care

Individuals who have one or more long-term health conditions visit lots of different health and care professionals. When these professionals work together as a team to deliver care in a coordinated way, we call this integrated care. One of the essentials for integrated care is access to information. This video, produced by North West London Whole Systems Integrated Care, explains some of the benefits of information sharing from the perspective of patients and services users.

Your choice

The Care information exchange can benefit you and your health by giving:

• you access to your information
• your health and care professionals a more complete picture of your health and care

Health and care organisations using the Care Information Exchange may put information about you on the Care Information Exchange. This is information that they already hold about you on paper or on other computer systems. Putting the information in the Care Information Exchange gives the opportunity for other professionals involved in your care to see it. This can help ensure you get the best care and avoid unnecessary tests and treatment.

If you do not want your information to be available to you and to your health and care professionals on the Care Information exchange, you can opt out. To opt out please make your request using the form on the contacts page. Please be aware that by opting out you will lose the benefits of the Care Information Exchange to your care and health.

You can create an NHS login and register for the Care Information Exchange now if you are treated at any of the hospitals in these North West London NHS trusts: Chelsea and Westminster, The Hillingdon Hospitals, Imperial College Healthcare and London North West University Healthcare. The Care Information service is powered by Patients Know Best.

NHS Login is a national service for you to securely access digital health and care services with one username and password. To get an NHS login, you will need an email address, a mobile phone number and a way to prove your identity – such as a passport, a driving licence, or a European identity card.

You can also use the NHS app to access your Care Information Exchange record if your GP practice is in a North West London or North East London borough.