Apparently, starting this year, private compani... - Thyroid UK

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Apparently, starting this year, private companies will be able to buy information on us from the NHS’s new universal patient database.

sisa1975 profile image
16 Replies

More here: theguardian.com/society/201...

I opted out from the universal NHS database a few months ago but I've seen this interesting information since. medconfidential.org/how-to-...

You can sign petition to Jeremy Hunt & the NHS here: action.sumofus.org/a/nhs-pa...

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sisa1975 profile image
sisa1975
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16 Replies
lucylocks profile image
lucylocks

Hi

My husband and I have just signed.

Thanks for posting.

browny

sisa1975 profile image
sisa1975

My husband and I received a letter from NHS approx. 6 months ago informing us about the universal database going live. The letter was mainly highlighting the benefits of the database which is why we didn't opt our children out but I now I wonder if we should have opted them out too.

fiona profile image
fiona

Thanks for this info about the petition. They're doing well with the signatures and I know they'll get their target!

Sisa just have a word with your GP receptionist, I called in last week to say I didn't.wish to be on the database. I'm sure it's not too late for your family.

sisa1975 profile image
sisa1975 in reply tofiona

Thank you for your reply Fiona, I am seeing my GP on Thursday this week, so I'll ask then.

Geminigirl profile image
Geminigirl

This topic was on This Morning last Thursday, 10 minutes into the programme. Get it on catch up tv. I wrote on a local community forum and one reply said I was misleading and worrying people but I know that the NHS plans to sell our private medical info names addresses etc to anyone who can use it. This is a disgrace and should be stopped now. Exchange of info between hospital for the benefit of patients but not their names and address to be sold to all and sundry to prop up the NHS. Can you imagine who would use all this info? Doctor/patient confidentially should be something we can trust, could you trust these people not to leave all your personal data on a train? Info would be passed on to banks insurance firms, the list goes on. I wrote to my MP and will sign the petition.

sisa1975 profile image
sisa1975 in reply toGeminigirl

Well this is it. I wish I could trust NHS but they let me down so many times in past that I really only use them when I really have to these days. The reason why I didn't opt my children out from this national dbase was because the info letter/ leaflet stated that it will be beneficial to patients and that hospitals will be able to access the same medical records our GPs have.

I however wouldn't want the A&E department to be influenced by my medical records (if I was ever admitted in an emergency) as I know that my medical records are not 100% accurate and also because I have been misdiagnosed in past and not sure if this was amended on my medical file or not. So the info on my med. records being shared could actually do more harm than good.

Geminigirl profile image
Geminigirl in reply tosisa1975

Normally even members of the same family cannot get test results for a husband/partner the information is only given to the patient. In hospital visitors are not even allowed to read the chart at the end of the bed, so what is the NHS playing at trying to sell off all our private and personal data to the highest bidder? I know the NHS needs money but not at our expense!

wightmouse profile image
wightmouse

I opted out yesterday, got a form from surgery reception, signed there and then. Easy!

lab-lover profile image
lab-lover

I was talking about this to my gp last week, I am in Wales, so not affected, tho it prob will arrive. Dr was saying he woukd not object to his info, as it will help research etc. He was adamant that no names would be used, but I am not convinced, if it did come to Wales, I wouldmdef. Opt out.

Zephyrbear profile image
Zephyrbear

I've signed! Thanks for posting this. Like lab-lover, I too am in Wales and if you read the accompanying article links, especially the department of health one here hscic.gov.uk/media/12443/da... you will find out that for the grand price of £1594 the 'customer' can indeed acquire information that has the patients personal confidential data on it! I've also shared the petition on Facebook.

nobodysdriving profile image
nobodysdriving

the problem with these petitions is that you give your email address and even if you tick a box saying you do NOT want to hear from them they still bombard you with emails. Hence I am sorry to say I am not signing it.

sisa1975 profile image
sisa1975 in reply tonobodysdriving

I think you can tick a box saying 'no' if you don't wish to receive any updates from this campaign/ petition or simply as you said - don't sign it. I have two different email addresses and never use my main one for cases like this. For signing petitions I use my second one and I hardly ever check that second mail box.

nobodysdriving profile image
nobodysdriving in reply tosisa1975

in theory yes, in practice every time I tick it I still get the spam, I have given up, but thank you, shame as it's a good cause but spam irritates me far too much for me to bring myself to sign it.

Geminigirl profile image
Geminigirl

If you are happy to have your private and personal information, togdther with your NHS number, postcode etc then do nothing, but if, like me, you are uneasy about this information getting into the wrong hands then it is easy to opt out.

All you have to do is riing yiur GP and inform him you wish to opt out, or you can write to him or download a form from the internet to express your wishes.

They can still make use of your data but anonimously so you cannot be traced. It is your choice,

bobbyb profile image
bobbyb

Yes Iv'e signed and printed out the form, I find it very disturbing.

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply tobobbyb

medconfidential.org/how-to-...

You can find template letters you can print off, fill in and give to your surgery at the above link. You don't have to make an appointment with your GP. Just address the letter to your GP and hand it in to reception. Don't hang about, the data extract is happening next month I believe. You really don't have much time.

More info can be found here :

brief.care-data.info/

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