2026 NHS General Practice Staff Survey

The General Practice Staff Survey (GPSS) helps us understand staff experiences so we can improve working conditions, patient care and reduce inequalities.

We process survey information under Article 6(1)(e) UK GDPR (public task), as it is necessary for the NHS to carry out its official duties.

These duties are set out in the NHS Act 2006, including:

– Section 1 – promoting a comprehensive health service

– Section 1A – securing continuous improvement in service quality

– Section 13E – NHS England’s duty to improve service quality

– Section 13G – reducing inequalities

Additional powers to use data

Under Section 2 of the NHS Act 2006, NHS England can process personal information where needed to support its functions, such as contacting staff and managing the survey.

Sensitive (special category) information

Some questions (for example about ethnicity, disability or health and wellbeing) collect sensitive personal data.

This is processed lawfully under:

– Article 9(2)(h) UK GDPR – management of health and care systems

– Article 9(2)(g) UK GDPR – substantial public interest (including equality monitoring), supported by the Data Protection Act 2018

Supporting legal responsibilities

The survey also helps the NHS meet wider legal duties, including:

– Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality Act 2010, Section 149): using evidence to identify discrimination risks and improve equality

– Employment law obligations (Article 9(2)(b) UK GDPR): supporting workforce-related responsibilities where relevant

– Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (Section 2): ensuring the health, safety and welfare of staff

Personal information may be used to run and manage the survey, for example to contact staff about taking part.

Survey results are usually reported in summary (anonymous) form, so individuals cannot be identified.

Taking part in GPSS is completely voluntary for staff.

We do not rely on consent as the legal basis, as processing is necessary for the NHS to carry out its statutory functions.

GP practices and other providers delivering the survey under NHS contracts (GMS, PMS, APMS) are also exercising official authority, and rely on the same legal basis.