The data processor agreement is published between the Department of Health and Ipsos MORI. The Department appointed Ipsos MORI as its sub contractor for the GP patient survey 2009 – 2011 with an option to continue the survey for a further year 2012/2013. The Department has taken up this option.
In order to perform the survey on behalf of the Department, Ipsos MORI will require certain personal data to be made available. The Data Protection Act 1998 requires that an agreement is put in place between the two organisations to enable the process of personal data. Both organisations have signed the agreement in order to regulate the provision and use of this data.
The GP patient survey is in its seventh year, and has been developed with Ipsos MORI and academics from the University of Cambridge and the Peninsula Medical School. Around 2.8 million registered patients in England are invited to take part during July to September 2012 and January to March 2013. Their responses provide timely and valuable information for primary care trusts, GP practices and other patients about patients’ experiences when they access local services.