This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Up to 700,000 NHS patients’ details released against their wishes
During preparations for the controversial ‘care data’ medical database, which was shelved in March 2014, up to 700,000 patients opted out of having their details shared with third parties. It has emerged that these requests were ignored, and that sensitive data has been shared without patients’ consent.
The chair of the HSCIC Kingsley Manning said that the organisation “does not currently have the resources or processes to handle such a significant level of objections”, and the HSCIC are still working to verify the exact number of people affected.
The news has led peers to call for an investigation, with Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Ledford describing it as a “worrying situation” that is “undermining patient trust in NHS data sharing”.
Dr Beth McCarron-Nash of the the General Practitioners Committee (GPC), told health sector journal Pulse: “Obviously, if there are technical difficulties that HSCIC are experiencing they must be resolved, and it is their responsibility to make sure patients are protected. But basically it’s a mess.”
An HSCIC spokesperson said: “The HSCIC is committed to ensuring no patient suffers any adverse impact on their direct care through an inappropriate implementation of an objection. This means that information for applications such as cancer screening, electronic prescriptions and e-referrals is currently flowing and will continue to do so.
“The HSCIC is working closely with NHS England, the Department of Health and the National Data Guardian to progress these issues and ensure that patients’ wishes are followed, without impacting on their direct care.”
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