Patients' medical records go on NHS database without consent
The aim of the new NHS database scheme is that it will eventually hold the private records of more than 50 million patients, but concerns have been raised about the security of the private information held on the system and to what extent it will be protected from hackers.
The "summary" records contain basic medical information including illnesses, vaccination history, and could include medication patients have been given. Ages and addresses are also included.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has issued claims that records have been placed on the system without patients’ knowledge or consent. It follows allegations that the Government wanted to complete the project before the Conservatives had a chance to cancel it.
Patients are supposed to be notified by letter at least 12 weeks before their details go live on the system and given the chance to opt out - but at present 1.29 million people have had their details placed on the system. A further 8.9 million records are due to be added by June. By the end of next year, the NHS hopes to have more than 50 million uploaded.
The BMA says that letters have gone to the wrong addresses and that many patients have been unsure what they mean.
Doctors point out that there has been no national advertising programme to explain the scheme to the public, as has been the case with other government initiatives in the past.
The BMA also criticises the fact that the information packs do not include the form which allows patients to opt out. It can only be obtained via the internet or by calling a helpline.
Katherine Murphy, of the Patients Association, said: "The Health Service should not put in place bureaucratic obstacles to patient choice because they are worried about what patients might choose to do."
A spokesman for the Department of Health has said that ministers "absolutely support" the right of patients to opt out of the scheme, adding that various options were provided to make this straightforward.
Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought.
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