We are likely to ask patients and staff some information about themselves – this will range from age, gender, sexual identity, race, religion and sexuality to whether they have a disability.

This information helps us:

• Understand the needs of patients and staff from different groups and be able to provide better and more appropriate services.
• Identify risk factors; some groups are more at risk of specific diseases and some groups have specific care needs so this data can help treat patients.
• Improve public health by ensuring that our services are reaching all our local communities and our services are being delivered fairly to everyone who needs them.

We follow strict rules regarding the use and safe keeping of data provided to us.