Frequently Asked Questions - Confidentiality/Data protection
How did you get my name and address?
Ipsos MORI is sending questionnaires on behalf of the Department of Health. The Department of Health selected names randomly from the NHS list of patients registered with a GP. Ipsos MORI will keep these contact details confidential and, once the survey has been completed, they will be securely destroyed. Ipsos MORI has not been provided with any clinical information about patients’ health or consultations.
Have you got access to my health data?
No, absolutely not. Ipsos MORI has only obtained your NHS number, name, address, month and year of birth, and gender so that we can contact you regarding the survey. No information about your health was obtained – this remains confidential between you and your GP.
Month and year of birth and gender information will be used only for purposes of ensuring that the anonymised survey data match the profile of the practice population as closely as possible.
How is my doctor involved in this survey?
The survey is being conducted as part of the current arrangements for contracts between the Department of Health and your GP Practice. The questionnaire is being sent to a random selection of people who are registered with a GP in England, and your name was selected randomly from the list of patients registered with a GP held by the Department of Health.
GP practices have been informed about the survey in advance. They will have access to the anonymised, statistical results for their practice, but will not have access to individual answers.
Does my doctor know about this survey?
Yes, your GP was sent prior information about the survey, including the reasons behind it.
Will my doctor see my answers to this survey?
No, identifiable individual answers will not be seen by anyone outside of Ipsos MORI. Only anonymised data will be provided to the Department of Health and the NHS. No one outside of Ipsos MORI will know who questionnaires have been sent to or returned by.
Will I be identifiable in the results?
No, identifiable individual answers will not be seen by anyone outside of Ipsos MORI. Only anonymised data will be provided to the Department of Health and the NHS. No one outside of Ipsos MORI will know who questionnaires have been sent to or returned by.
