Care.data will be a giant database of medical records showing how people have been cared for by GPs and hospitals.
It will involve taking records from GP practices and linking them with hospital records (at the moment information about what happens in hospitals is available, but not what goes on in GP surgeries).
Experts say the information will enable them to assess diseases, examine new drugs on the market and identify infection outbreaks as well as monitor the performance of the NHS.
The records will be stripped of identifiable data, but will contain the patient’s age band, gender and area they live in.
Concerns have been raised about keeping all the information in one place, with campaigners saying that it could lead to privacy problems and data breaches.
You have a choice. If you are happy for your information to be used in this way you do not have to do anything.
If you have any concerns or fear that your data may be mis-used, you can download the opt out form below, complete it and return it to the practice (or get a form when you next visit the practice).
You can call 0300 456 3531
For an Opt Out Form click here, Download, complete and return to the practice
You can find out more on the NHS England Care Data website here