Thank you for your request for information about the following:

Request

NHS Spine Records and Extended Closure Periods

1. What is the policy for applying extended sealing or closure periods to patient records held on the NHS Spine or Personal Demographics Service?

2. What statutory authorities permit NHS Spine records to be sealed or access-restricted for periods exceeding 100 years?

3. How many patient records on the NHS Spine are currently subject to closure or sealing orders extending to 2100 or later?

4. What categories of reasons are documented for applying extended sealing periods to NHS Spine patient records?

5. Can flags or markers be applied to NHS Spine records that restrict patient access to their own data? If so, who has authority to apply such markers?

6. Are patients informed when sealing orders, closure periods, or access-restricting markers are applied to their NHS Spine records? If not, what is the legal basis for not informing them?

7. What process exists for a patient to challenge a sealing order or access restriction applied to their NHS Spine records?

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 13 January 2026.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

Our response

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA.

Advice and Assistance

Having reviewed your request, I believe that it is possible that NHS England (NHSE) may hold some or all of the information you require.

They can be contacted at:

NHS England
NHS England
PO Box 16738
Redditch
B97 9PT
Email: england.contactus@nhs.net
Web http://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/foi/

Following the announcement on 13 March 2025 regarding the disbanding of NHS England, please be assured that at this time they can be contacted for information as normal.

More information can be found here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/