David Lock

Would you let your medical records be put on a national database?

For some irrational reason I like to keep my personal stuff private plus I don't believe the database will be secure.

But I can see that some info might be useful, even life saving. If I am ill or in an accident in some strange place. For example I take blood thinning tablets which is important to know if I am badly cut.

On the other hand I wouldn't want a prospective employer who has obtained a copy of the database know, for example, that I was treated for alcoholism 15 years ago (I wasn't btw )

So, if my GP ever asks, I will only allow very relevant, recent and limited information to go on the database.

What is your view?

dl

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

I wouldn't bother me either way to be honest, but like you I haven't any dodgy medical past to hide, so it might be a different story if I did.

mykp

I find the security of anything run by the government highly suspect. People bang on about websites such as Amazon and ebay being secure and keeping our details safe, but everyone seems to take it as read that anything run by the government must be safe!

It maybe safe while its on a computer in a government office but who knows one day a laptop with your medical details will probably get left on the back seat of a bus.

Having said that, how many government databases are our details already on? With all the data floating about on the net, government/council agencies, credit agencies, etc... who's to say all out details arent already in some massive government database which includes everything about us?

But enough about my paranoid conspiracy theories

Nurse Gladys

I think it should be a matter of choice. Some people wouldn't care either way - others however have a lot to hide!!

I think it would be invaluable for kids - it may help in stopping the cases we hear about like the tragic Baby P.
Perhaps it would alert those who need to know if a child is continually attending A & E?

As for trusting a Government system - surely they'd have to get it working first.....??

coolangatta

No, the mention of an STi never looks good

boxst

It doesn't really make much difference: most employers these days will ask for access to your medical records. It makes going to the doctor with anything that can be diagnosed as psychological (depression, alcholism, eating disorder, etc..) an extremely bad thing to do if you want anything other than a mundane job.

Steve

Will

Only on a scooby

boxst

I always wondered why the mention of the fact I had an STi once a few years ago makes people move away

I'll have to remember to put the words "Subaru Impreza" in front of it in future.

Steve

Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

It would bother me a bit but if it was used to pick out trends up and down the country between ethnic/age/gender groups etc its got to be good.
If its so they can be put on a laptop and then left on a train only to turn up in cash converters a week later then its very bad.

Leslie

It would not surprise me if they already have got most of our private information on file already, and are only too happy to sell it off for good money to most who ask!

It is part of their mantra as it always has been.

As was mentioned, the security of such information will always be in danger as it has been in the past.

Les

mykp

Surely if thats done and put into effect then its discrimination?

but this does make you think that a database would be a reason for the government to charge a fee for employers a look at employees records.

boxst

There is a very interesting (fictional) book by Michael Crichton called Next. It is about DNA testing, but can relate to medical records.

As soon as these things become electronic, before you will get any kind of insurance the company will pull your parent's and other relative's medical records and do a very quick and dirty calculation about your predisposition to life threatening and / or expensive diseases are rate your premium accordingly.

Steve

coolangatta

If you're an investor/shareholder in the insurance industry you'd expect nothing less.

oldsplice

Depends what it's for. If it's just GP to GP, then it's obviously useful. It's my job to input a patient's medical records onto a database.

However, I definitely wouldn't be happy if any Tom, Dick or Harry was able to access my records for marketing purposes or whatever. As Steve says, It could open a whole can of worms regarding insurance. Especially as the system is only as good as the person putting the stuff in it. Mistakes can be made..........

Leslie

Absolutely right of course.

Les

boomer

The Big Opt Out - About the campaign

Fight for your privacy!!!

mb

CrisPDuk

Government databases of any kind give me the heebie jeebies

One only has to look what the one IBM set up in Germany in the 1930s was ultimately used for

And this current shower make the NSWP look positively liberal

jods

I used to work on the rollout of that system
Your GP won't ask you if you want data stored or not.
You have to instruct him NOT to store the data (or that's how it used to be !)

cster

I don't think you get a choice in this matter.
Your GP is compelled to see you on the NHS and (AFAIK) is compelled to use their IT system. If you were to ask them to use pen and paper records to ciscumvent this, I don't think you would get very far.
That is the basis/beauty of socialism - no choice.
Equality (bog standard) for all, as long as the population is dumb enough to accept (and pay for) this state of affairs.

tanyatriangles

iTrader: (2)

Couldn't have put it better myself.

And I have to say that under this present shower of sh*t, opting out, even if you can), will be seen as dodgy..........possibly even as undermining the state.......and treated accordingly

boomer

Yes you can opt out of most of this big brother scheme - see TheBigOptOut but the government are trying to make it hard by using sneaky tricks (like not telling people about their options, illegally requesting GPs to report people who opt out, forcing you to attend a face-to-face interview etc.).

This nasty project is years behind schedule, billions over budget (even though it isn't even partway complete) and will almost certainly leak like a sieve.



mb

David Lock

Well on the programme I heard about this, some GP practices were putting records on the database and had received a few dozen requests from individuals to remove their record.

Another practice had a default policy of not inputting data unless the patient requested it, and hardly any had done. I suspect these places will be leant to change their policy. I can't see my wish for my records to be vetted to be accepted as this would just take too much time.

dl

boomer

You can at least try sending an Opt Out letter to your GP - he may even be one of the ones that don't approve of the uber-database - so give him some support!

mb

aviator

I am a doctor
I WAS involved in consultations to iSoft who are implementing (actually not, but that's another story!) this is the NW
I know my GP well, and have sent him the form from "the Big Opt Out"
need I say more??

David Lock

Yes.

Why?

dl

Lee247

errr someone having my medical records. NO. wtf has it to do with anyone other than my GP.
Christ, do we have to register farting now

mykp

looks like the government have already been takinh liberties with our information

BBC NEWS | UK | Call to scrap 'illegal databases'

Leslie

That will be the same as usual then!

Les