The doctors' union claims that England's medical records database is being pushed through too fast, with details sometimes being uploaded without patients' knowledge. But those behind the new system say many patients are astonished that hospital doctors still do not have access to basic information, and the process to opt out is very straightforward. What are the issues?
Doctors leaders have called for a halt in the development of a medical records database for patients in England. The British Medical Association says the computer-based Summary Care Records are being set up at "break-neck speed", sometimes without patients' knowledge. Ministers have expressed surprise at fears of fast change after previous criticism that it was moving slowly. The NHS IT upgrade will link more than 30,000 GPs to nearly 300 hospitals through an online appointments system. It will also feature a centralised medical records system for 50 million patients, e-prescriptions and faster computer network links.
At least 100,000 non-medical staff in NHS trusts have access to confidential patient records, claim campaigners. Big Brother Watch, who based the figure on 151 responses from trusts, said it demonstrated "slack security". The group says hospital domestics, porters, and IT staff are among those with access to records in some trusts. The Department of Health says the report muddles paper files and the newer electronic systems for which access will be strictly controlled. Big Brother Watch asked every NHS Trust in the UK for the number of their non-medical staff who had access to confidential patient records.
GPs are considering whether to abandon their involvement in a scheme to put medical records on a computer database. BBC News understands that talks are continuing to try to make it easier for patients to opt out of the system. Thirty million people in England have already been formally contacted about the computer record. Health ministers from the coalition government insist the rollout will continue.
Patients in England will be able to inspect and correct their NHS and social care records online from 2015 if the coalition government’s vision for the use of IT in the NHS becomes reality.