Research Preference Clause & Research Data Use Notice

Aspen Med – Research Data Use Notice


Version: Draft 1.0
Date: 17 December 2025

This document sits alongside the Aspen Med Patient Portal Privacy Policy and provides additional transparency regarding the use of patient data for research, audit, service evaluation, and healthcare innovation.

1. Purpose

Aspen Med aims to continuously improve healthcare quality, outcomes, and innovation. To support this, we may use patient data in anonymised or pseudonymised form for research and service development, in line with applicable law and professional standards.

This notice explains:

  • How patient data may be used for research-related purposes
  • What choices patients may have
  • When separate consent is required

2. Default Position

2.1 Anonymised Data

Anonymised data may be used by Aspen Med without restriction for:

  • Clinical audit and quality improvement
  • Outcome monitoring and success-rate analysis
  • Service evaluation and innovation
  • Academic collaboration and publication
  • Platform development, analytics, and artificial intelligence modelling

Once data is anonymised, it can no longer be linked to an individual and is no longer considered personal data under UK data protection law.

2.2 Pseudonymised Data

Where anonymisation is not feasible, Aspen Med may use pseudonymised data for:

  • Longitudinal outcome analysis
  • Audit and service evaluation
  • Research projects aligned with healthcare improvement and innovation

Such use is subject to:

  • Strict governance controls
  • Technical safeguards preventing unauthorised re-identification
  • Oversight under applicable healthcare or research governance frameworks

Separate patient consent is not routinely required where processing is permitted by law.

3. Identifiable Data and Consent

Identifiable patient data will only be used for research purposes where:

  • Explicit patient consent has been obtained, or
  • Use is otherwise permitted under applicable law and approved governance frameworks

Patients will be clearly informed where identifiable data is involved and may decline participation without any impact on their care.

4. Research Preference Clause (Patient Choice)

Aspen Med recognises that some patients may wish to express preferences regarding participation in research.

Patients may:

  • Be invited to participate in specific research projects
  • Choose whether or not to take part when identifiable data is involved
  • Withdraw from research participation at any time where consent applies

At present, Aspen Med does not require patients to make a global opt-in or opt-out decision regarding anonymised or pseudonymised data use. Preferences are handled at the level of individual research projects where applicable.

5. No Impact on Care

Participation in research is always voluntary and will not affect access to care, quality of treatment, or the clinician–patient relationship.

6. Contact

For questions regarding research use of data, please contact:

Aspen Med Ltd
Email: dpo@aspenmed.net