The big opt out

pepsi · The big opt out

In case people are not aware, the government has started asking GPs in some areas to begin uploading patient details to the "Spine", the new NHS central database.

There are some benefits in this, i.e. your medical data should be easily available to any doctor or hospital in the country should this be required in an emergency, however there is also a downside.

Your medical records will be available not only to hospital A & E depts. but also pharmacists, ambulance staff, District Nurses, staff in clinics such as Family Planning Clinics, Sexual Health Clinics, hospital staff including nursing staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, mental health teams… and anyone else the NHS thinks may find your information useful, as well as civil servants in the Dept. of Health.

This upload will be done without your permission, if you do not want your private medical details as well as your Name, Address, Date of Birth, and Contact Details available on such a large scale then you will need to Opt Out of having your records uploaded.

If I had faith in the security of government databases and the use they will be put to then I would agree but bearing in mind that the DVLA sells our details to private organisations already, I'm afraid I would have grave concerns about my private medical and personal information being available on such a wide scale, just think how insurance companies would love to get their hands on this info.

amenity

Thanks for that pepsi, this issue has been raised before by John but without the detail you have provided.
We have only ourselves to blame if we let them get away with this.
My GP has obliged but mentioned a few small caveats. (he would report back to me if any changes etc.)

pepsi

Can confirm my GP also obliged, for anyone who wants more info or an example of the letter you should write then go to

http://www.nhsconfidentiality.org/?page_id=9