Medical data base

jaysay · 10-03-2010, 09:12

Patients' medical records go online without consent - Telegraph
I was interested when I saw this item on the news this morning, I received a letter from the NHS last week regarding this data base, yet although they included pre paid envelope there was no intimation about being able to opt out. Myself I'm not bothered its okay with me, anything that helps in an emergency is fine, but it seams people are being included without their knowledge, which isn't right at all

Benipete · 10-03-2010, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Patients' medical records go online without consent - Telegraph
I was interested when I saw this item on the news this morning, I received a letter from the NHS last week regarding this data base, yet although they included pre paid envelope there was no intimation about being able to opt out. Myself I'm not bothered its okay with me, anything that helps in an emergency is fine, but it seams people are being included without their knowledge, which isn't right at all

I received a booklet about it that contained the following paragraph:

If you do not want us to create a record for you,Please contact your GP or your Primary care trust or go to:

NHS Care Records Service — NHS Care Records Service.

Hope this helps.

jaysay · 10-03-2010, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benipete

I received a booklet about it that contained the following paragraph:

If you do not want us to create a record for you,Please contact your GP or your Primary care trust or go to:

NHS Care Records Service — NHS Care Records Service.

Hope this helps.

Sounds like the booklet I received Beni, must have missed that, but you would think they would include an opt out form

Benipete · 10-03-2010, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Sounds like the booklet I received Beni, must have missed that, but you would think they would include an opt out form

There you go again trying to simplify things

This is the civil service.

accyman · 10-03-2010, 11:29

can anyone access this database ?

mind you once somthing is on teh internet it is vulnerable and not really a safe place to put things like medical records

Neil · 10-03-2010, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by accyman

can anyone access this database ?

No you can't use it to check out if you next woman is clean or not

Margaret Pilkington · 10-03-2010, 12:05

Apparently no one can access this records system without your permission....and when they access your records it will be recorded
1)who has accessed the file,
2) the time and date that the file was accessed,
3) the name/PIN number of the person who accessed the file,
4) whether any changes were made to the file,
5) what those changes were.

I am suspicious of computer held records and I am not sure whether to opt out or not.

As far as adding your name to a computer record without your consent, I think the information has been produced so that those who do want to opt can do so.
and there is information that if you later change your mind about opting out then you can be added to the computer database......it will be much harder to take yourself off this record if you want to do that in the future.....especially if you have had treatment anywhere and this has beeen added to the computer record.

Margaret Pilkington · 10-03-2010, 12:10

The link that Benipete has supplied is very full and informative.......I would suggest that anyone with any doubts should access it and read it before deciding what to do.

shillelagh · 10-03-2010, 15:54

I got one of those last week as well ... now in my case it would be handy .. if going up to spugs and anything happened that they'd be able to access my records ... especially as more than likely id be unconcious and not exactly with it when i did come round. So for me probably a good thing ..

Neil · 10-03-2010, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by shillelagh

I got one of those last week as well ... now in my case it would be handy .. if going up to spugs and anything happened that they'd be able to access my records ... especially as more than likely id be unconcious and not exactly with it when i did come round. So for me probably a good thing ..

You could just as easily carry the info with you if it is so limited or it could be written into your ID card.

mattylad · 10-03-2010, 17:45

This has been known about for quite a while, you can find out more here about opting out.

Mind you, if your of general good health you may be concerned, but if you do suffer from something or perhaps are a biker, then having your medical details
instantly available at all hospitals etc can be seen as a good thing.

(Security concerns aside - that is).

P.S. anyone wanna buy a copy of the database? - its at www.nhsdatabaseforfree.com

lettie · 10-03-2010, 18:59

There is no infallible way of storing medical records. In one respect, electronic data could be a good thing. Hospital staff would be able to access your records at any time of day or night, wherever you were in the country. However, large organisations have a nasty habit of losing data, security breaches etc. Knowing the NHS, the computer records system will be the cheapest one they can get away with, it certainly won't be quality.
On the other hand, the amount of wasted clinic appointments and cancelled operations because the paper medical records are lost is surprisingly higher than I expected. Electronic data could put a stop to this but I am sitting my arse firmly on the fence with this one, I'm not sure if I trust em to get it right...

Margaret Pilkington · 10-03-2010, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by shillelagh

I got one of those last week as well ... now in my case it would be handy .. if going up to spugs and anything happened that they'd be able to access my records ... especially as more than likely id be unconcious and not exactly with it when i did come round. So for me probably a good thing ..

Jen......I'm not sure that medical staff in Scotland will have access to your records on this database......it only mentions England in the blurb....there is no mention of Scotland and Wales.
It might be worth your while to contact them and ask for clarification.

Margaret Pilkington · 10-03-2010, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by lettie

There is no infallible way of storing medical records. In one respect, electronic data could be a good thing. Hospital staff would be able to access your records at any time of day or night, wherever you were in the country. However, large organisations have a nasty habit of losing data, security breaches etc. Knowing the NHS, the computer records system will be the cheapest one they can get away with, it certainly won't be quality.
On the other hand, the amount of wasted clinic appointments and cancelled operations because the paper medical records are lost is surprisingly higher than I expected. Electronic data could put a stop to this but I am sitting my arse firmly on the fence with this one, I'm not sure if I trust em to get it right...

Me neither.
It all sounds good on paper....but I don't trust computer records......and after all this data has to be inputted by some human......and there is still a possibility of human error.

Uncle Mick · 10-03-2010, 19:30

Private Eye | Official Site

The Eye has been going on about this for years, including the story of a man who asked to opt out of the database and his doctor said that in that case he would be unable to treat him!