NHS Care Records Service

Computers in the NHS have been in the news fairly regularly over the past few months. The NHS national programme for IT (NPfIT) is a £12bn system, the largest non military computer system ever commissioned. In common with many governmental computer systems, the programme is running years behind schedule and way over budget. The system is designed to drag the NHS's antiquated data systems into the 21st century. Central to this is the intention to make patients' clinical records accessible electronically at all NHS sites across England via an information ‘spine’.

Up until now, patients’ main medical records have been held by their GP, with hospitals and other service providers each having separate files. Thus, if a patient suddenly falls ill or is involved in an accident while away from home, the clinicians treating them could be missing important information relevant to that patient’s care. The aim of the new system is to make relevant details available to clinicians who need it across the country. While this seams to make sense, many people have concern over the security of the information, and who will have access to it either legitimately or by hacking into the system. The records will still be covered by the data protection act 1998. At first only summaries would be uploaded (name, date of birth, medicines prescribed and allergies) but it is clear that, over time, this will be added to.

Letters have now been sent to all adults registered with a GP in Gloucestershire. If you have already filled in an opt-out form and sent it to the practice, you do not need to opt out again.

It is important to know that you have a right to opt out and keep your records off the ‘spine’.

For more information I suggest looking at

http://www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk for the ‘Government view’ and

 www.TheBigOptOut.org/forGPs for the alternative view.

More information should follow, but in the meantime anyone who wishes to keep their records off the spine will need to write to the practice. A form to complete can be found here or picked up from the surgery.

Adam Beard

Practice Manager

ã St. Luke's Medical Centre 2006-2012