UK’s NHS data opt-out scheme postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak

The UK’s National Health Services (NHS) announced the extension of the deadline for compliance with the national data opt-out until 30 September 2020. The policy was introduced on 25 May 2018 to enable patients to opt-out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes. The deadline has been extended to allow healthcare providers to focus on responding to the Coronavirus outbreak. The statement underlined that the extension is a temporary measure and the organisations that are already compliant with the national data opt-out should continue as appropriate.