Table 1 List of key themes and sub-themes

Opt-out versus opt-in

Informed consent

Patient access to GP records

Apathy regarding default ‘opt-in’

Lack of trust

Identifiable data

Privacy

Security issues

Confidentiality of patient data

care.data has risks

Data accessed by insurance companies

Data for sale

Concerns about the involvement of a private IT company

Data going to other private companies

Care.data linked to NHS privatisation

Data protection

Legal issues

GPs' concerns

Concerns about adding genomic data later

Police access to care.data

Communication failure

Confusion about what care.data is

care.data as a media event

care.data leaflet and junk mail

Conflicts of interest

Public ignorance about care.data

Mainstream media reports on care.data

PR and presentation of facts

Critics accused of scaremongering

Delay to implementation

Role of activists or activism

Flawed project

Change management

Another NHS fiasco

Pause will not affect implementation

A failed brand

Costs of care.data project

Technological problems

Accuracy of medical records

Arrogance

Lack of patient and public involvement

Lack of patient-centeredness

Patient ownership of medical data

Lack of engagement

Pro care.data viewpoint

Ideal model of implementation

Benefits of open data

Accusing critics of scaremongering

Use of patient data is not new

Moral imperative for care.data