Privacy group quizes NHS Kirklees over health record claim

PRIVACY campaigners have accused NHS Kirklees of misleading the public.

The group NO2ID points out that in a recent Examiner story officials said details of patient health records – stored as a new computerised Summary Care Record (SCR) – would “only be accessible by staff directly involved in a patient’s treatment’’.

The campaigners say this is incorrect because the legislation states the records can be accessed if authorities such as the police gain a court order in the public interest.

The NHS says the ability for health professionals to remotely access your details would be a major improvement in the treatment of the public, who may be taken ill when they are away from home.

The ability to check data about allergies or other health concerns would lead to faster, more effective decision-making, they claim.

The British Medical Association, however, has criticised the speed with which the programme has been rolled out and called for it to be paused for an independent evaluation.

James Elsdon-Baker, north of England spokesman for NO2ID (pictured), said: “It’s shocking that patients and practitioners are being deceived in this way as to who will have access to their families’ medical details on the new centralised system.

“Access made in the public interest is a broad category that would result in state snooping into your private medical history.”

NHS Kirklees has hit back at NO2ID’s claims, saying the ability for the police to gain a court order to view records is already an option in the existing system.

A spokeswoman said: “We would like to reassure people that the rules for protecting patients’ information remain as stringent under the SCR, as they are in any patient records.

“Organisations outside the NHS cannot usually have access to your NHS Care Records without your permission. For example, the police, your insurance company or employer have no access to your NHS Care Records.

“Only in limited circumstances, allowed by law, would a copy of selected information in a care record be given to the police or other authorities.

“A full explanation of the duty of the NHS in dealing with a patient’s record is available at www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk or obtained by phoning the dedicated information line on 0845 603 8510.”

The spokeswoman added that patients can withdraw from the SCR system if they allow their records to be stored, and their details would be hidden from healthcare staff.