Guardian News and Media/London

NHS England is to delay the introduction of a system to share medical records after medical and patients’ groups called for more time to raise awareness of how people can opt out and have confidence in the scheme.

Under the original timetable, patients had until the start of April to opt out of the records-sharing system, which the NHS says will improve research into the outcome of treatments and allow drug and insurance companies to buy “pseudonymised” medical information.

Last month, all 26mn households in England were sent leaflets about the scheme, setting out the possible benefits and explaining how to decide whether to take part.

In a statement, NHS England said the collection of data from GPs’ surgeries would begin in the autumn - it did not give a more precise date to permit “more time to build understanding of the benefits of using the information, what safeguards are in place, and how people can opt out if they choose to”.

During this time NHS England will work with groups including the British Medical Association (BMA), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the consumer body Healthwatch to promote awareness, as well as looking to new means of building confidence in the scheme, formally known as care.data.

In the meanwhile, NHS England would work with a small number of GP practices on a voluntary basis to test the quality of the data collected, the statement added.

Tim Kelsey, national director for patients at NHS England, said it wanted to listen to patients’ views. He said: “We have been told very clearly that patients need more time to learn about the benefits of sharing information and their right to object to their information being shared. That is why we are extending the public awareness campaign by an extra six months.”

Anna Bradley, chair of Healthwatch England, said: “This is a really positive move by NHS England. They have shown a willingness to listen to what the public have to say about the way their health and care services are run.

“Crucially they have agreed to Healthwatch England’s request to see the roll-out of care.data delayed to allow more time to ensure the public are fully informed. Over the coming months the Healthwatch network will continue to play a key role listening to the concerns of local communities, helping to inform them about what’s happening and working with NHS England to improve their communications with the public so each of us can make an informed decision.”

Professor Nigel Mathers, from the RCGP, said: “We would like to thank NHS England for listening to the concerns of RCGP members and for acting so quickly to announce this pause. The extra time will provide it with the chance to redouble its efforts to inform every patient of their right to opt out, every GP of how the programme will work, and the nation of what robust safeguards will be in place to protect the security of people’s data.”

The RCGP has sent a letter to NHS England arguing that the delay should be used to clarify issues such as what data can be disclosed and who will decide this, and for a national campaign that highlights the option to opt out.

Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMA’s general practitioner’s committee, said: “With just weeks to go until the uploading of patient data was scheduled to begin, it was clear from GPs on the ground that patients remain inadequately informed about the implications of care.data