British Medical Association criticises the "breakneck speed" at which NHS patient database of Summary Care Records is being set up.

BBC News reports unease among doctors at this fast-developing IT project, amid security fears and other concerns.

Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA, has said: "Patients' right to opt out is crucial, and it is extremely alarming that records are apparently being created without them being aware of it.

"If the process continues to be rushed, not only will the rights of patients be damaged, but the limited confidence of the public and the medical profession in NHS IT will be further eroded."

I expressed my own concerns about this in an earlier post on this blog. Government databases have a notorious record of insecurity.

Confidential patient records could be passed from the NHS to government depts and private companies, leading to a "disastrous impact" on public health

Government plans to sell patient records
article in the Telegraph

Extract:

"Government plans, contained in the Coroners and Justice Bill, would allow almost unlimited access to medical records of named individuals without their consent.

Under the proposals, patient information held by GPs, health centres, pharmacists and hospitals could be passed to insurance companies or research organisations. The data could also be given to other government departments, such as the Department for Work and Pensions to check whether people who claimed benefits were able to work.

In a letter to Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, medical organisations expressed "grave concerns" about the Bill. They said that sharing confidential health records would result in patients being less open with their doctors, which would jeopardise their care and public health initiatives."

I think we can take it that "research organisations" equals drug companies...)o:

"Data Protection" is an oxymoron as far as this Government is concerned...)o: - and, of course, "Data Security" is a wholly imaginary concept...)o: