Opting out
We understand that not everyone is comfortable being involved in research, or may have questions and concerns about how their information will be used and stored.
Read this page for more information on how to opt-out of P-iGBC.
If you can't find the information you need, or if you need help opting out, please contact us at plh-tr.pigbcstudy@nhs.net.
You can also read more about opting out of research NHS wide at the National Data Opt-Out Choice website.
How to opt-out
Before you make your decision, please take time to read the participant information sheet for the modelling study. You can find the latest version on the Study Documents page.​
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You will only be recruited to the study if you have an operation at a participating hospital, whilst it is taking part. To find out whether your hospital is taking part, you can check the list of approved sites, which also shows the dates when patient are being "recruited". If you don't want to take part you only need to opt-out if your operation was, or is due to be, between the dates that your hospital is "recruiting".
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Please note: If you do wish to opt out, you will be asked if you are willing to share your reason for opting out. You do not have to give a reason, but it could help us to identify problems with the project which are causing patients concern if you do.
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If you haven't had your surgery...
The best way to opt-out is to ask your surgeon to let the local collaborators (researchers) know that you wish to opt-out when you go in for your operation. It is possible that your surgeon might not be collaborating personally, so it would be useful to let them know who the Principal Investigator is - but don't worry if you can't remember, your surgeon will be able to find this information, and all of the researchers will be members of the clinical team.
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If you have already had your surgery....
If you have already had your surgery you should first contact your surgeon or the local collaborators (researchers) at your hospital who will need to cross reference your study entry with their local records. They can then you as having opted out in the database. Any other data which has already been collected will be deleted. All that will be transferred to the main research team at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is the code you have been allocated, the fact that you have opted out and, if you have given one, the reason you chose to opt out. As explained above, it will not be possible to remove your data from the database after the end of the study.
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If you cannot get hold of your local collaborators...
Where possible, you should contact the collaborators at your local hospital, to protect your information. The study protocol allows your hospital to take ten working days to respond (two calendar weeks, but a little longer over holiday periods). If your local unit doesn't respond, or if you need help contacting them, please contact us by email, using the button below.