Summary
NHS England has announced the introduction of an NHS information service called care.data. This service will use information from patients’ medical records to improve healthcare delivery and research.
The Health and Social Care Information Centre, British Medical Association and the Royal College of General Practitioners have produced instructions and guidance on using this tool, and to support practices in raising public awareness.
Patients who are unhappy for their data to be re-used can ask their GP practice to make a suitable note on their medical record; this prevents their information leaving the practice.
Reference
Helping the NHS to provide better care and to improve health services. London: NHS England, August 22nd 2013.
Information for Patients and Carers
Reference
How information about you helps us to provide better care. London: Health and Social Care Information Centre, August 22nd 2013.
Reference
How sharing information in your medical records can help the NHS to provide better care. London: NHS Choices, August 2013.
[A brief reference to this item features in Dementia and Elderly Care: the Latest Evidence Newsletter (RWNHST), Volume 3 Issue 9, August 2013].
Briefing on Care.data (House of Commons Library)
Following some concerns about Care.data, regarding the confidentiality of extracted data, the lack of public awareness / patient consent and the extent of information sharing, the House of Commons Library has produced a briefing. This briefing note explains how data might be used, and how patients can “opt out” from having information from their medical records shared.
Reference
Powell, T. (2013). Care.data. London: House of Commons Library, December 18th 2013. Standard Note: SN06781.
Common Concerns?
Healthwatch England wobbles over patient concerns and common public misunderstandings:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2014). Giant patient records database ‘should be delayed’. London: BBC Health News, February 4th 2014.
See also, some GP concerns:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2014). GPs voice fears over giant patient records database. London: BBC Health News, February 12th 2014.
Counter-allegations of scaremongering:
Reference
Triggle, N. [and] Brimelow, A. (2014). Critics of giant NHS database ‘are scaremongering’. London: BBC Health News, February 21st 2014.
Information for the General Public (NHS England)
Patient information available via the “Better information means better care” publicity campaign:
Reference
New animation will raise further awareness about use of NHS patient data. London: NHS England, January 24th 2014.
The animation:
Reference
Better information means better care: animated video. London: NHS England, January 2014.
And the leaflet distributed to every household:
Reference
Better information means better care. London: NHS England, January 2014.
Low impact publicity, or just public indifference?:
Reference
Vallance, C. (2014). Adults ‘unaware of NHS data plans’. London: BBC News, February 14th 2014.
NHS Data-Sharing Scheme Delayed by Six Months
Reference
Triggle, N. [and] Walsh, F. (2014). Giant NHS database rollout delayed. London: BBC Health News, February 18th 2014.
See also:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2014). Care.data: How did it go so wrong? London: BBC Health News, February 19th 2014.
Possibly related:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2014). Medical records rules broken, NHS admits. London: BBC Health News, February 24th 2014.
and:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2014). NHS data-sharing project at risk, say MPs. London: BBC Health News, February 25th 2014.
