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NHS 'admits' new database could undermine confidentiality

The NHS’s own risk analysis has warned that Patient confidentiality could be undermined by the new medical records database, according to the Telegraph.

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Medical database to hold information on past illnesses

The medical database will hold information on past illnesses, weight, blood pressure as well as medication, and will be taken from medical files next month. The aim of the £50 million data-sharing is to improve healthcare and help medical research, according to the Telegraph.

Medical records hold some of our most sensitive information and the threat to people’s privacy of them being maliciously stolen or re-identified must not be underestimated.

From blackmailers to research companies, the value could be significant.

– Nick Pickles, director of Big Brother Watch

Individuals can opt when 26 million households in England are being notified about the Care.data scheme.

NHS 'admits' database could undermine confidentiality

The NHS’ own risk analysis has warned that Patient confidentiality could be undermined by the new medical records database, according to the Telegraph.

The NHS 'admits' database could undermine confidentiality. Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Press Association Images

And the database could be “maliciously” used to identify patients through a vulnerability to hackers, according to a document seen by the newspaper.

It also outlines its view that the scheme could hit public confidence in the NHS, meaning patients could withhold information from doctors out of fear it may not be kept confidential.

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