[Infowarrior] - UK medical records privacy concerns

[Richard Forno]

Patients' medical records go online without consent

Patients’ confidential medical records are being placed on a  
controversial NHS database without their knowledge, doctors’ leaders  
have warned.

By Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent
Published: 10:20PM GMT 09 Mar 2010

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7408379/Patients-medical-records-go-online-without-consent.html

Those who do not wish to have their details on the £11 billion  
computer system are supposed to be able to opt out by informing health  
authorities.


But doctors have accused the Government of rushing the project  
through, meaning that patients have had their details uploaded to the  
database before they have had a chance to object.

The scheme, one of the largest of its kind in the world, will  
eventually hold the private records of more than 50 million patients.

But it has been dogged by accusations that the private information  
held on it will not be safe from hackers.

The British Medical Association 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.

In a letter to ministers published today, the BMA urges the Government  
to suspend the scheme.

Hamish Meldrum, its chairman, writes: "The breakneck speed with which  
this programme is being implemented is of huge concern.

"Patients’ right to opt out is crucial, and it is extremely alarming  
that records are apparently being created without them being aware of  
it.

"If the process continues to be rushed, not only will the rights of  
patients be damaged, but the limited confidence of the public and the  
medical profession in NHS IT will be further eroded."

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 "summary" records contain basic medical information including  
illnesses, vaccination history, and could include medication patients  
have been given. Ages and addresses are also included.

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.

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, as has been the case with other  
government initiatives.

David Wrigley, from the BMA's GP committee, said: "The concern is that  
people may not be aware, because they did not receive the letter, they  
did not read it or they thought it was junk mail and threw it away."

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."

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: "The  
Government needs to end its obsession with massive central databases.

"The NHS IT scheme has been a disastrous waste of money and the  
national programme should be abandoned."

A spokesman for the Department of Health 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.