How to opt out of sharing your data

Are you a Luton resident living with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or other psychoses that requires monitoring of your physical and mental health? If yes, you’re on the serious mental illness (SMI) register.

Starting in July 2025, a new programme called ‘Luton Smiling Together’ will be launched to support people on the SMI register to stay well and safe. The aim is to help prevent crisis. The programme involves linking council and NHS information to identify possible triggers for crisis.

We want you to stay well and safe. The support provided by the programme will be from experienced and caring case coordinators.

You have the right to opt out of sharing your data with the Luton Smiling Together programme at any time you choose.

Your options

There are two other ways to opt out of Luton Smiling Together, depending on what suits you best:

1. Opt out before your data is shared - You can stop your data being shared between the NHS and the council. To do this, we’ll need your:

• full name
• date of birth
• address

This helps us identify you correctly and stop your data being used. You can also give us your NHS number or National Insurance number if you like — it’ll help confirm who you are.

2. Opt out after your data is linked - You might be contacted by a case coordinator. At that point, you’ll be offered the chance to opt out. If you do, the programme won’t contact you again.

The Public Health team handles all opt out requests. To do so, email [email protected] or call 07548 845668.

NHS National Data Opt-out

You can set your choice for having your patient information used for research and planning.This will opt you out of sharing your data with more services than just this programme. Visit the National Data Opt-Out (NDOO) service to set your choice.