About the UK Patient Data Sentiment Tracker
Understanding Patient Data tracks public awareness, confidence and support regarding the use of patient data across the UK. This includes a measure of:
- Public awareness towards and support for different uses of health data
- Confidence in data security
- Views on emerging health data initiatives
- Public understanding of available choices and controls, and opt-out
- The impact of media coverage on attitudes and behaviour
This page presents summary findings from Wave 3 of the UK Patient Data Sentiment Tracker. Fieldwork was conducted between 14 and 18 May 2026 among a nationally representative sample of 1,279 UK adults aged 16 and over (Kantar Lightspeed Research). Where applicable, we include comparisons with previous waves: Wave 1 in July 2025 and Wave 2 in February-March 2026.
Digital engagement, awareness and support for how the NHS uses patient data
NHS App uptake is high - 74% report to have the NHS app or equivalent, in line with national registration figures), but regular use is lower (48%). A third have never viewed their health records (33%).
Confidence in the accuracy of medical records is relatively strong (69% confident). Only 29% have seen more than a limited summary of their health record.
Awareness and support vary by purpose: The use of data to develop AI and digital tools is lowest (35%), behind research (45%) and service planning (43%).
People who use the NHS app and access their health records tend to be more aware of how data is used. However, greater awareness does not necessarily translate into greater support.
NHS working with external organisations
Respondents were most aware of the NHS working with pharmaceutical companies (62%); least aware of NHS working with technology companies (50%)
Support for NHS partnerships with external organisation is strongest for universities/research (~50%) and weakest for tech companies (35%).
There has been a decline from wave 2 in support for research organisations (from 53% to 47%) and pharmaceutical companies (from 48% to 42%).
Comfort with personal health data being used
Support for data use is strong but conditional: Most people (89%) are comfortable with their own personal data being used - but support is conditional, as 49% say it depends on the situation.
Of those who are comfortable:
- 44% are concerned about their data being accessed by the wrong people
- 40% are concerned about the security of their data and cyber-attacks
There has been a statistically significant decline in confidence in data security:
- 52% feel confident (statistically significant decline from 58% in wave 1)
Awareness and support for plans that involve using patient data in new ways
Approximately half of respondents were aware of the plans listed that involve using patient data:
- Highest awareness of Single Patient Record (55%), digital ID, and AI tools to help free up time for doctors and nurses (54%).
- Doctors/nurses using AI tools has the biggest gap between awareness and support – whilst 54% of respondents were aware of this, only 35% feel supportive of it.
- Support has remained broadly stable: there were no statistically significant changes in the support for these plans between waves 2 and 3.
Opt-Out
Opt out rate consistent across waves:
- 27% of respondents think they have opted out (vs. 5.62% national opt out on 31/5/2026)
- 36% didn’t know they could opt out, 21% were unsure
People who have opted out are not disengaged.
- 83% of opt outs use the NHS app, vs. average of 74%.
- 64% of opt outs feel confident that the NHS has strong protections to keep their data safe, vs. average of 52%.
- 42% of opt outs are supportive of patient data being used to develop and improve digital tools, vs. average of 35%.
People who are comfortable with their own data being used still opt out.
- 41% of those who feel comfortable with their own data being used have opted out.
Opt-outs do not neatly track opposition; they seem to reflect informed caution, concerns about misuse or inappropriate access, and a desire for control rather than blanket resistance.
Difference across demographic groups
- Women showed lower awareness and support than men across multiple questions – and reported lower opt out (contrary to published National Data Opt-out statistics)
- Respondents in Greater London showed higher awareness and reported higher opt outs
- Younger respondents (aged 16-44) often (but not consistently) had higher awareness and were more supportive than older respondents – reported higher opt outs
- Respondents from ethnic minority backgrounds showed higher awareness of data use, higher support across multiple areas – and reported higher opt out
Media recall and response (UK Biobank, Palantir, Single Patient Record)
We asked whether respondents remembered seeing any media or news stories (without being shown any) about UK Biobank, Palantir or new legislation to support the creation of a single patient record.
If they did, we asked whether it made them more or less supportive of the use of patient data and whether it made them more or less likely to opt out (or stay opted out).
We found that media coverage did not notably change support for patient data use. However, it did shift perceived personal risk/behaviour (e.g. opt-out intent) particularly in relation to Palantir.
Single patient record
Recall and support for the use of patient data
- 40% recall seeing/hearing stories about new legislation being introduced to support creation of a Single Patient Record in England
- 51% said that seeing the news stories about SPR made them more supportive of the use of patient data, compared with 17% who said it did not
This is a statistically significant difference and suggests that this coverage has had a positive influence on support of use of patient data.
Opt out
- 30% said that seeing the news stories about SPR made them more likely to opt out (or stay opted out), compared with 37% who said it did not
As these proportions are similar, this suggests that this coverage is not likely to have a notable influence on opt outs.
UK Biobank
Recall and support for the use of patient data
- 31% recall seeing/hearing stories about UK Biobank
- 43% of respondents said that seeing the news stories about UK Biobank made them more supportive of the use of patient data, compared with 24% who said it did not.
Opt out
- 29% of respondents said that seeing the news stories about UK Biobank made them more likely to opt out (or stay opted out), compared with 32% who said it did not.
As these proportions are similar, this suggests that this coverage is not likely to have a notable influence on opt outs.
Palantir
Recall and support for the use of patient data
- 33% recall seeing/hearing stories about Palantir
- 35% said that seeing the news stories about Palantir made them more supportive of the use of patient data, compared with 33% who said it did not
As these proportions are similar, this suggests that this coverage did not have a notable influence how the public feels about using patient data.
Opt out
- 41% of respondents said that seeing the news stories about Palantir made them more likely to opt out (or stay opted out), compared with 29% who said it did not
This is a statistically significant difference and suggests that this coverage may have an influence on opt outs.
Preferred citation
Preferred citation: Understanding Patient Data (2026) UK Patient Data Sentiment Tracker: Wave 3 Findings (May 2026).
For further details about the analysis, please get in touch.