NHS Digital to aiming to collect data from GP practices so that it can be used for health and social care purposes, such as policy, planning, commissioning, public health and research.

However, the proposed data collection has been criticised by some GP and patient groups over the perceived privacy implications.

Alex Norris, shadow minister for public health and primary care, has written to NHS Digital calling for the planned data collection to be paused until concerns about data use have been addressed.

Labour are also requesting a full public consultation on data sharing, and a public information campaign to ensure patients are aware of their rights and options.

Norris said: “I echo concerns from across the health sector that the lack of transparency on which organisations can access this personal data is deeply concerning.

“Patients need to be made fully aware of which of their data is available for access and by whom, and so I have written to NHS Digital asking them to pause their upcoming GP data collection until these questions are resolved.”