Comment by Bill

November 21, 2006 @ 10:32

I have no doubt that if there is widespread usage of this opt-out then the government will simply ban it.

So is there another way of getting around this problem? Perhaps by taking ownership of our own medical records?

Currently when you change GPs you new GP requests your medical records from your old GP who then send them on. So could we get hold of our own records by faking one of these requests?

Many of us have access to computers and laser printers and it wouldn’t be too hard to knock up a convincing copy of one of these requests.

So are there any friendly GPs out there that could publish one of these documents, and explain the transfer procedure (i.e. does the old GP have a way of confirming that the new GP is real?)

Obviously this will not be appropriate for most people, but I’m sure it would be welcomed by those of us that really value our privacy, and don’t have any nasty conditions that an A&E really should know about if we’re dragged in unconcious.

Comment by Dave

November 21, 2006 @ 20:39

Hi.

Got a copy of the letter but the web address on it does not work. Do you have the right address?

Comment by Cleanthes

December 3, 2006 @ 12:29

You may want to read this:

“The Department of Health provoked uproar among doctors yesterday by asking GPs in England to send in correspondence from objectors who do not want their confidential medical records placed on the Spine, a national NHS database.”

You may then also wish to update your form letter to make it clear that anyone sending it does NOT give their permission for the fact of their opt out to be passed on to anyone in the DoH with the sole exception of those tasked with logging the opt out in the spine itself.

This looks nasty…

Cleanthes

Comment by guy herbert

December 3, 2006 @ 19:59

Cleanthes has a point.

Though the letter strikes me as clearly communicated in circumstances of confidence, my suggestion to make sure would be: (a) mark both letter and envelope “confidential”, and (b) post it. If a posted and confidential-marked letter were passed to the Secretary of State, then I’d ask police to investigate possible offences against the Postal Services Act by the practice forwarding it and and the CMO and Secretary of State (as accessories).

There would also seem to be grounds for complaint to the GMC too, since it has rules about such things as patient-doctor confidentiality.

In fact, someone with standing should complain to the GMC about the CMO’s letter anyway, since it looks like he might be requesting other doctors to breach confidentiality for non-clinical reasons.

Pingback by The Big Opt Out » GP’s told to Shop Patients

December 3, 2006 @ 20:55

[...] Please support the campaign with donations and by signing our Opt Out Letter mark the letter CONFIDENTIAL and send it to your GP. [...]

Pingback by The Big Opt Out » Latest Figures On Who Could Access Your Records

December 3, 2006 @ 21:09

[...] When the Summary Care Record starts to become operational early next year ( unless you Opt Out) they will also be able to access the a summary of your medical history , prescriptions etc as well. [...]

Comment by roger tedman

December 11, 2006 @ 22:51

I have always maintained that patients should have their own medical records. With current technology, all my medical history could be placed on a data key. If I go to hospital, I can take the key and the consultant can read and update it. He can give it back and I then have the only copy. I can take it to my GP, my pharmacy, indeed anywhere that medical records are required. And who has ownership – me.

Comment by Philip

December 18, 2006 @ 15:01

The full opt out letter is probably a bit unecessarily wordy for most GP’s. I think most of us know what it’s about already!

Additionally the Read code is incorrect – it should read 93C3 and not ‘93C3 as it seems to appear in the letter. Remember, it will be a junior receptionist who gets the job of inputting this information and they may be less than eager to pursue it if it fails at the first attempt.

The cause is praiseworthy – just be careful it doesn’t get hijacked by people with a conspiracy theory axe to grind which would only give ammunition to discredit you with.

Finally, the waiting room material needs to be written in plain English. It’s OK for people who have achieved a certain level of higher education but it would be completely beyond many of the people I come into contact with who have an equal right to express their disagreement with the government’s lunatic policies.

Comment by Kevin

March 3, 2007 @ 11:38

I submitted the opt-out form and my GP was very enthusiastic about it, although had never considered the issue before. He has raised it with other GPs in Newham. I wonder though how many people will take it up? Where I live in east London, something like 30% of the population have English as a second language. I couldn’t agree more that waiting room materials need to be written in plain English.