Police to get access to national child database

It seems the goverment have finaly confirmed that the police are to be allowed to access the national child database.

First of all the people who are allowed access to this information (teachers, social workers and health workers to name but a few) steal information about children and their families so as to invade their privacy, now they are wanting to share the information with the police long after the child has turned 18.

With information being stolen from the childs and family Summary Care Record, it is easy to see how doctors/nurses are nothing short of agents for the state.

Link to story:

http://www.e-health-insider.com/news/4090/police_to_get_access_to_national_child_database

Connecting for Health set to scrap the implied consent model?

It seems that CfH may decide that their ‘implied consent’ model for sharing patient identifiable data may be getting changed. Don’t jump for joy however as it is not all good news.

CfH (who might get support from the BMA) might decide to go to a ‘consent to view’ model similar to the one used in Scotland even though this has been shown to be seriously flawed and there are still significant differences on what is shared and with whom..

So whats the problem?

The consent to view model does not solve problems, it can make them worse and hides the serious issue of SUS and others geting hold of patient data.

Doctors, nurses and even admin staff do not need the consent of a patient to view the records as it is up to the doctor and nurse to decide what they see and what others see (although in some places that decision is taken by just 1 doctor).

It is rather typical of the BMA to run away from the issue of SUS and others, such a the police, getting hold of the information. The consent to view model is typical of doctors, nurses and NHS managers who like to go on the idea that what the patient does not know will not hurt them. They also go on the idea that doctor/nurse knows best. It is a matter of fact (and this is supported by the GMC, Calldicott Gaurdians and the ICO) that a doctor/nurse can not only view information the patient has said they do not want them to see but the doctor/nurse can also withhold medical treatment if the patient says no. That means if you go along to an out of hours centre or A&E and say no to their request to view the record they can ether still access it or actually refuse to treat you.

Consent to view is a joke.

Further reading:

http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=23&storycode=4120259&c=2

http://www.ehiprimarycare.com/news/4012/implied_consent_set_to_be_scrapped_for_scr