To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to ensure that people with a visual impairment or a learning disability are aware of and understand the care.data scheme.

The patient information leaflet ‘Better Information means Better Care’ is available in a range of accessible formats, for example, braille, audio, large print and easy read and are available online:

http://www.nhs.uk/caredata or can be ordered via the patient line.

NHS England is also working alongside a number of organisations, including the disability partnership programme, to understand how awareness amongst these groups can be further developed.

On 18 February 2014, NHS England announced that they will collect data from GP surgeries in the autumn, instead of April, to allow more time to build public awareness of the benefits of using the information, what safeguards are in place, how people can opt out if they choose, and look into further measures that could be taken to build public confidence.