Medical data base

jaysay

jaysay

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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
 
jaysay said:
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
Click to expand...

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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 ..
 
shillelagh said:
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 ..
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You could just as easily carry the info with you if it is so limited or it could be written into your ID card.
 
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
 
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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...:)
 
shillelagh said:
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 ..
Click to expand...


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.
 
lettie said:
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...:)
Click to expand...

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.
 
Neil said:
You could just as easily carry the info with you if it is so limited or it could be written into your ID card.
Click to expand...


I do .. i wear a SOS talisman ..and have done since i was about 15 .. and not once has a paramedic or ambulanceman or nurse or doctor opened it up and looked inside it. I also if going up to spugs carry with me part of my prescription .. which has my doctors name and address and telephone number on it .. besides all the medication im on.
 
I am all in favour of this. I got the leaflet through my door last week and if it saves running about between my doctor, Blackburn Royal and Wythenshawe Hospital simply to give them information then it gets a thumbs up from me.

Anyone out there who is thoroughly interested in what medicines I happen to be taking at any one time can just ask me if they really want to know but I'd suggest they get out more. Anyone else who thinks that using my contact details off a leaked NHS database will persuade me to buy their pharmaceuticals is also severely deluded.

With all systems, be they computerised or not, there is the possibility of human error and records falling into the wrong hands but I'm quite happy to take the risk if it saves me taking half a day off simply to run around telling the various medical establishments what the click of a mouse could do just as well.
 
It isn't just what pills you are on.....or what operation you have had.
The record will carry your name, address, date of birth, National health number etc.......these are details that could quite easily be 'lost' or hacked and then you could find yourself paying for stuff that you have never bought because someone has set up accounts in your name, and obtained goods fraudulently.(with accurate and up to date information off the NHS database)

I do not trust security of huge organisations......and as Lettie says the NHS will purchase the cheapest, nastiest product on the market because that is what they do.
 
I delivered an 'opt out' form to my doc sometime last year.
I have not crossed his threshold since July 2008 and take all possible steps to avoid the need to - barring broken legs I think I can cope better without him:rolleyes:.

I suppose people who rely on pharmacuticals for survival, feel vulnerable, and so will welcome the database to ease that sense of vulnerability.

I think that it will provide a false sense of security, especially after reading comments here from health workers.
 
Margaret Pilkington said:
The record will carry your name, address, date of birth, National health number etc.......these are details that could quite easily be 'lost' or hacked and then you could find yourself paying for stuff that you have never bought because someone has set up accounts in your name, and obtained goods fraudulently.(with accurate and up to date information off the NHS database)

I do not trust security of huge organisations......and as Lettie says the NHS will purchase the cheapest, nastiest product on the market because that is what they do.
Click to expand...

Will the information on these computers though not be obtained from your doctor's computers ? Would think these are more vulnerable to loss or hacking ? So we are already vulnerable, are we not ? :confused:

Not sure, but think their receptionists have access to these at your surgery ... know if I have lost my repeat prescription for my HRT and can never remember the name, they have looked in their computer on the counter to let me know what it is. Might not be fully correct .. just a queston.
 
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