Summary Carer Records.....Again
Following last months article on Summary Care Records (SCR) a number of readers have raised concerns over security of the records and what to do if we choose to opt out.
If you missed last month's issue a SCR is a record of your current medication and allergies that will give health care staff faster and easier access to reliable information wherever we are in the health service in the UK.
First security; we currently store personal, financial and health information on computers where it is subject to stringent security safeguards. The weakness however is largely dependent on human error and this usually takes the form of an individual making a copy of data either to transport or remove for use elsewhere. Hence the number of cases of discs and laptop computers being left on trains and in taxis.
If we guard against these lapses in security, and you would think there have been enough recent embarrassing cases to ensure this, then the data will be secure.
All on-line computer systems also have to guard against “break ins” (hacking is the term) but I suspect that criminals are more interested in bank details rather than lists of our allergies and current medication.
On optingout there is some evidence that more needs to be done. PCTs and practices must agree that there has been adequate professional and public awareness about SCRs before they agree to upload their patient records and that patients have had the opportunity to opt out if they wish to do so.
The NHS are also planning to use a revised opt out/opt in form that has been developed by Londonwide LMCs. It gives the patient a balanced argument about SCRs and they can explicitly opt out or in. This will be introduced for future new patient registrations.
For the time being you can ask your GP practice for an Opt Out form or visit www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk/options/ to print a copy off, fill it in and hand back to your practice.
This will prevent a SCR being produced and if it already exists will prevent anyone accessing it.