This Guide provides advice for NHS and Social Care staff and organisations about:

·         why informing patients, service users and the public about the use of their personal and confidential information is important;

·         what they need to do to meet legal requirements;

·         what information to include in information materials.

The guide covers informing patients and service users about the use of their information to support their care, secondary uses and the need for applicants seeking support under section 251 of the NHS Act 2006 and its supporting regulations to prepare and disseminate information materials.

There is also a Quick reference guide which covers what staff need to do and a checklist of information that it may be appropriate to include.

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