We use your NHS number to link your information to other secure information sources, such as the National Radiotherapy Dataset. This linked information tells us more about your treatment – for example, if you had an unplanned return to hospital.
The linked information from you and other patients across England and Wales is given to The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) to analyse and use in the audit reports. The information is anonymised so you cannot be identified.
We may also provide NHS numbers of deceased patients to hospitals so they can check the information they have entered in the audit database is correct.