John Naughton's excellent article explains why we don't want more of our data on government-run databases. Unfortunately the famous NHS Spine is now being populated. At huge expense everyone in this are is being sent a letter about what are now called 'Summary Care Records'. Basically these are the initial attributes to be populated in what is destined to be a comprehensive, centrally-held medical record.
The system is appallingly designed, lacking even a mechanism to delete a wrong record.
Predictably my PCT is making it as difficult as possible for patients to exercise their legal right to opt out of the system. They vaguely say that the form for opting out from the system can be downloaded from their website, but the search facility in the website itself, and google fails to locate any reference to any opt-out of the summary care record. I did find the relevant form on the Stock NHS PCT site (here). The form itself needs to be downloaded, printed out, filled in with a pen and posted to your local GP. An natural and elegant solution that you would expect to find in a state-of-the-art database system.
Seriously, please at least think carefully whether you wish to express your passive support for one of the gleaming jewels in Tony Blair's legacy.
