What do people think of the NHS Summary Care Record

[Ducky1]

What are people's thoughts on the NHS Summary Care record that is coming soon? Is it a goof idea or not

[garrence]

It's a goofy idea, not a good one

 

Currently your medical records are with your GP who keeps them confidential. This project is to upload everything into yet another central national database, destroying the doctor-patient confidentiality and instead relying on far more esoteric mechanisms to electronically restrict access.

 

The justification is "if I end up in A&E in another city then I want them to have access to my records", but it seems rather flawed because

 

* The A&E staff need to assess the thing that you're there for, not review your past history.

* If there's something I need the A&E staff to know then I'll wear a chain or bracelet. These are foolproof, whereas the electronic thing relies on (a) them identifying me and getting the correct record up, (b) the data being recorded and extremely obvious to A&E and © lots of bits of electronics working.

 

I think it's just another manifestation with Labour's obsession with central databases and outrageously expensive IT projects that ultimately fail.

[Grissom]

Sounds like a good idea to me

[Ducky1]

Thanks garrence, I was thinking if they brought up the wrong record it could affect the way you are bring treated, given the wrong drugs etc. and yes i would want to be treated for what i am in for.

[cgksheff]

My recent meetings with GPs and consultants have shown to me that they are incapable of looking at records anyway.

 

Why waste more money?

[truconstruct]

My recent meetings with GPs and consultants have shown to me that they are incapable of looking at records anyway.

 

Why waste more money?

 

That's been my expeerience.

[Cyclone]

What are people's thoughts on the NHS Summary Care record that is coming soon? Is it a goof idea or not

 

Having talked to a few colleagues who worked on the project, I'll be phoning up soon and telling them not to create one for me.

[garrence]

The British Medical Association are fairly against it too. It's only because of them that these letters have been sent out. The DoH wanted to just force GPs to upload everything.

 

Useful links:

 

NHSConfidentiality.org - campaign about it.

 

Information and opt-out sheet prepared by No2ID.

[LibertyBell]

You are able to opt out. You will also have to give permission for people to see your record, just as you do now.

 

The system if operated correctly will produce efficiencies in the NHS.

[esme]

already opted out, I have an SOS talisman bracelet with relevant info in it for a start

 

but if I'm taken ill in a different city and need a hospital then either I'll be unconscious in which case it will be emergency treatment and no one will have time for records or I won't be unconscious in which case I can tell them about any meds I'm on, plus they have to somehow find my personal records and I may have been separated from my ID so what then ?

 

the summary care record isn't necessary for most people, and something much simpler, cheaper and more effective like the SOS thing can be used for those that do need it

 

it's just empire building by ministers and civil servants who salivate at the thought of having every citizens personal data at their fingertips