AN information watchdog is calling on health bosses across Greater Manchester to abandon plans to store medical records on a national computer database in the wake of three data scandals.
Manchester NO2ID group says the data blunders, all revealed in the past month, are proof that local health staff cannot be trusted with confidential information.
They fear more personal information will be lost if plans to transfer all medical records to a national database, which is being trialled in Bolton, continue.
The M.E.N revealed Stockport Primary Care Trust (PCT) lost personal medical information on 4,000 patients and Manchester Primary Care Trust is investigating after we were handed a data stick containing medical and personal details of patients from Specsavers in Wythenshawe.
The revelations follow a similar security breach at Oldham PCT involving `sensitive' notes on 145 patients.
But NHS bosses say the centralised system would prevent the need for people to transfer data using memory sticks or laptops, reducing the chances of losing sensitive data.
Dave Page, coordinator for Manchester NO2ID, who also oppose identity cards, said: "It is reckless and irresponsible to now put everybody's eggs in one widely-accessible, insecure basket. No technical measures can protect our private information.
"We are calling on primary care trusts across Greater Manchester to shelve plans for the NHS Spine, which will cost an estimated £12bn, which will be diverted from primary care and offers few benefits to healthcare amid great risks of identity fraud.
"Stockport PCT did not want to inform patients that their records had been lost. They claimed it was unlikely the data had fallen into the wrong hands, rather than explaining why it was being carried around."
The NHS Spine system will allow people's personal information to be accessed from anywhere on the internet, including people's home PCs, as well as hospitals, GP surgeries and pharmacies. Medical records will be put on the Spine unless people chose to opt out of the system.
What do you think? Have your say.
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TracyR, Manchester (28/01/2008 at 13:10)
I have no qualms about signing up to anything that makes it easier for my correct and complete records to be seen. I don't want a big brother state, but the more of these things out there, the fewer people get given the wrong drugs in an emergency, the fewer paedophiles get accidentally released for giving the wrong name and the fewer uninsured drivers there will be driving lethal weapons with little or no penalty when they take a life.
Black Flag (28/01/2008 at 13:44)
That's the typical ad hominem, "let's assume everybody's guilty until they've proven themselves innocent," argument that gets trotted out time after time.
It doesn't carry any weight most of the time, but when applied to medical records, it just looks completely ridiculous. Of course people want to hide their medical records. It's private information which they should be able to share with their doctor in confidence. I can't understand the mindset of people who think we should have to justify our desire for privacy.
Technobabble, Manchester (28/01/2008 at 18:03)
Considering what has been revealed, was that really paranoia, or just good old-fashioned common sense?
StopUnumSupport (28/01/2008 at 18:38)
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Gabriel (28/01/2008 at 21:07)
That's funny, because they have a lot of access to your personal confidential details now!
It is a bit Luddite to object to the electronic database when the recent data losses have been due to outdated systems and processes that would be redundant upon its implementation.
The electronic database would be much more secure and auditable.
LookingForLogic, Stockport (29/01/2008 at 01:02)
As it stands anybody who is remotely computer literate could access the info on the memory sticks.
Scary Mary (29/01/2008 at 12:40)
As for any tom, dick or harry accessing your information - I think we should give NHS staff some credit here. I'm sure that people aren't idly sitting around looking up their neighbour's information as they're aware this is a disciplinary offence. The new computer system will mean that any time a member of staff accesses a patient's record a log is kept giving details of their name, role and the date & time - FAR MORE SECURE than currently when, let's face it, there's nothing to stop someone picking up a paper copy and having a read.
I really do think people should stop being so paranoid. I most certainly will be letting them add my info to the database so that, god forbid, if I'm taken ill the docs treating me have all the info they need immediately.
TracyR, Manchester (29/01/2008 at 13:03)
It should be the same for criminal records and motor information - I really hate uninsured drivers of unsafe cars putting everyone else at risk.