NHS PATIENT RECORDS ONLINE

ONLINE MEDICAL RECORDS

Patients will soon??? be able to look at their medical records on their home computer, it has been announced. The plan was set out by Connecting For Health, which is overseeing the introduction of the new NHS IT system - The Spine (where do they find these names?) - which will cover England. The organisation also revealed 14,500 patients in Bolton will be the first to have computerised NHS records set up. (How many of these have their own IT hardware to be able to view the data (because you wouldn't want to use any public access kit in a library would you?))

People will receive letters telling them data including medications will be uploaded unless they object. They will have eight weeks to view their records and raise any concerns they have. Details can be held back, or they can choose to have their entire record remain private. Patients will also be able to reverse restrictions on what details are accessible on their records if, for instance, they are in a situation where NHS staff need to see all their details. Staff will have smartcards and passwords, designed to restrict access to full data to those clinicians who need it, while administrative staff would only be able to see basic patient information.

Dr Liaqat Natha of the Kearsley Medical Centre in Bolton, one of the two practices which will test the system, said: "There are huge potential benefits from making patient records available to all staff caring for them, through the secure NHS network."

This is the initial stage of a national project to put everyone's medical records on a computer database so any NHS GP or hospital treating them would be able to look at them. Once the basic data is uploaded and successfully used, patients will be consulted again to see if they want all their details to be added. The home access via the website Health Space, which will be phased in from later this summer, will give people passwords to look at their personal records from home. Connecting for Health say the site will be highly secure, and will have far more protection than websites such as those which offer online banking (And we all know how secure they are - don't we? How long before someone downloads everything to a laptop then leaves it on a bus?) The only things that are certain are death and taxes!!.

Marlene Winfield, the National Patient Lead for the organisation, said: "We would be very foolish if we didn't use the strongest available safety measures." She added: "For patients, this will be a huge leap forward. "They will be able to see data such as test results and discharge notes and to add information such as whether or not they need wheelchair access for appointments." (Perhaps they could order their breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper at the same time - after all they'll be waiting in a corridor there all day).

The project in Bolton is the first step towards a national roll-out. It is expected another six areas will be taking part in the scheme by the end of the year. Birmingham University has been asked to carry out an independent evaluation of their success. Nothing like being positive but who says it'll be a success?

Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chair of the British Medical Association's IT committee, said: "The pilots will have to be carefully managed and evaluated if we are to maintain the confidence of the public and healthcare workers. "The lessons from this independent evaluation must be learnt before a more widespread roll out." And if the lessons are that it doesn't work, is insecure, will cost too much and adds little value - will it still be rolled out? - You bet because there are too many jobs on the line if it isn't. He added: "The electronic summary care records have the potential to improve patient safety (in case someone operates on the wrong patient? - yes it still happens) and the quality of care but patients will need to be made aware of their rights. "We would want to ensure that all patients receive balanced information that clearly explains their options. "The impact on GP surgeries will also need to be closely examined as we do not want GPs to be overwhelmed with enquiries about electronic records leading to increased waiting times for patients." So this system isn't for the benefit of patients after all?