Opting out of NHS Computerised records.

[willowman]

All family members have had a letter from the local health authority about the Summary Care Records.
As has been detailed in the press they want to put all our records on a database which can be accessed by "authorised NHS Healthcare staff".
Given this governments inability to hold database records securely (memory sticks and discs going missing or being lost by staff members) I feel I want to opt out of having my records on a national database.
We have managed for 60 odd years without this system.
What do you guys think, should we opt in or out?

[TCL-MUMPING]

If you had to call out an out of hours doc or go to A & E for example, theywould be able to access the records to see immediately any treatment or medication you were receiving and it could mean the difference between life and death.

[marval]

I agree with it, I would like to think that my records could be read in an emergency. MY OH is totally against it, and he is the one with all the health problems. Yes there is a security issue, but if I am taken ill out of hours, at least they can access any problems there might be.

[another-view]

I am all for it too. Anything that would help them to treat me sooner is ok by me. Not quite sure, why anyone wouldn't want to be on it?

[another-view]

"We have managed for 60 odd years without this system. "

I'm sure that's what they said about electricity too. Time to move out of the cave.

[New Judge]

I have opted out of this proposal.

I do not believe this government (or indeed any in the foreseeable future) has the wherewithal to establish a proper and effective electronic medical records system. The original proposal for such a beast dates back about ten years and was estimated to cost £12bn. It has already cost considerably more than that, is years behind schedule (with no significant benefits realised so far apart from some people being able to book GP and hospital appointments online) and many insiders believe it will never work to the full extent that was envisaged.

This “summary records” launch is an attempt to justify the huge sums already spent on this failed project – a project where the contractors (EDS, now “HP Enterprise Services”) would have been sacked long ago had private funds been involved instead of the seemingly bottomless public purse.

The government cannot be trusted to look after individuals’ data securely and in accordance with the law, and most certainly cannot be trusted to use the information only for the purposes for which it was provided. I have no intention of providing them with the green light to store my medical records (or anything else about me that I can possibly avoid). I’ll just have to take my chance that the medics can look after me satisfactorily (which they have managed to do thus far) should I be carted off to dock.

[willowman]

New judge - you echo my feelings exactly.
Sadly EDS (for whom a friend works) are behind a lot of government contracts which go belly up for one reason or another, maybe they are just used as the fall guy for when things go wrong - by which I mean "when somebody in authority c***ks up and won't take resonsibilty".
So many instances have occurred of data being "lost" that I simply do not trust government departments, and I do not want my private medical details floating around the ether, or being left on a train or on the back seat of a car by some incompetent individual.

[willowman]

Sorry, fingers got jumbled trying to spell "responsibility"

[Riss]

I thought about it,but decided to opt in,my records are huge so I thought I'd stand more chance if they were all on a computer,not spread around in various files in various hospitals.

[willowman]

Another-view : I'm sure when electricity, or indeed any technological advance, was proposed many people said "Sure, we'll use it when it has been proved to be safe", and in due course it was proved to be so and became accepted.
I do not think that large databases as proposed have been proved to be safe and secure, when they are then I will be happy to come out of the cave and use them.

[bibblebub]

So why do you want other people's views when you've clearly made up your own mind?

[in a mo]

I am unfortunately a full time patient ,visiting the Doctors and hospital on a far to regular basis ,I have had my record lost so many times especially between hospitals.

[Le Chat]

bibblebub, the question was "should we opt in or out?"The fact that willowman thinks he should opt out does not mean that he doesn't wish to know other peoples' viewpoint on this matter.

[willowman]

bibblebub - I was looking for other peoples arguments for opting in, if they are strong reasons then I am man enough to say "OK I'm wrong" and change my mind.
I had my reasons for staying out, but I wanted to hear other views regarding staying in as so well put by Le Chat.

Isn't that what decision making is all about?

Maybe I should opt out but get one of these Medicare bracelets to hold all my details?

[Davethedog]

I am accepting it, for those 60 years they contacted your doctor and thats the difference. Instead of waiting two weeks for another appointment while they get your notes it can be done there and then.

Even if you say no how long before you get a letter saying that because of a decline in uptake your surgery no longer will only be holding computerised records and if you object feel free to leave?

All of these excercises where they ask the public are cosmetic they always get their way.

Security is an issue but what can you do?

[New Judge]

That is, Eddie, provided you or somebody else is able to give the quack your name, "unique NHS ID number" and your inside leg measurement or your grandmother's birthday (which will no doubt be needed to confirm you are who you say you are).

Personally I'm rather inclined to think that after I am scraped off the road having been hit by the proverbial bus the least of the medics' worries will be whether I am allergic to elastoplast. A number of medics have written to the papers in the last few days reflecting these views suggesting that few, if any, people needing emergency treatment suffer adversely because their history is not immediately available. Those that do need to warn doctors of any conditions they may suffer usually carry notification on them and this is a far more effective remedy than depending on a possibly flawed computer system.

[carlton23]

I, having just about everything, or have had, carry an up to date record of tablets and medical information with me and if anything happens, then medics should know what to do immediately........if... they bother to look in my wallet,