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Tories unveil NHS database plans | Tories unveil NHS database plans |
(30 minutes later) | |
The Conservatives have promised huge cost savings for the NHS by scrapping government plans for a central database of patient records. | The Conservatives have promised huge cost savings for the NHS by scrapping government plans for a central database of patient records. |
Proposals include electronic medical notes being stored locally by GPs and hospitals and patients having online access to their medical records. | Proposals include electronic medical notes being stored locally by GPs and hospitals and patients having online access to their medical records. |
IT firms such as Google or Microsoft could host the information. | IT firms such as Google or Microsoft could host the information. |
But the government said the Conservatives' plans raised concerns about patient confidentiality. | But the government said the Conservatives' plans raised concerns about patient confidentiality. |
The Tories are promising NHS trusts a choice of computer systems, rather than having a single one imposed. | The Tories are promising NHS trusts a choice of computer systems, rather than having a single one imposed. |
Every patient would have a username and password and could update their records with information like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. | Every patient would have a username and password and could update their records with information like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. |
Behind schedule | Behind schedule |
Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We want to give patients the ability to give themselves greater control over their information." | Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We want to give patients the ability to give themselves greater control over their information." |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
He added: "If we hold the data locally it's more likely to be protected than within this massive [NHS] database... | He added: "If we hold the data locally it's more likely to be protected than within this massive [NHS] database... |
"There's always a need to protect data, whether it's in the public or private sector. | "There's always a need to protect data, whether it's in the public or private sector. |
"What has to happen is to focus on patients' health and improve their outcomes." | "What has to happen is to focus on patients' health and improve their outcomes." |
The £12bn NHS programme in England - the world's largest civilian IT scheme - has been dogged by problems since its launch in 2002. | The £12bn NHS programme in England - the world's largest civilian IT scheme - has been dogged by problems since its launch in 2002. |
It aims to replace hundreds of different computer systems in hospitals and GP practices with compatible versions which allow staff to access patients' medical records. | It aims to replace hundreds of different computer systems in hospitals and GP practices with compatible versions which allow staff to access patients' medical records. |
NHS IT will only succeed in improving patient care if information is held locally and centred on the patient Dr Glyn Hayes | NHS IT will only succeed in improving patient care if information is held locally and centred on the patient Dr Glyn Hayes |
It is thought the project is five years behind schedule. | It is thought the project is five years behind schedule. |
Although some parts have been implemented successfully, there have been problems in upgrading computer systems in hospitals and setting up the electronic patient record. | Although some parts have been implemented successfully, there have been problems in upgrading computer systems in hospitals and setting up the electronic patient record. |
The Tories say contracts in place with IT service providers - two out of four of whom have already pulled out - should be brought to a halt and renegotiated to "prevent further inefficiencies". | The Tories say contracts in place with IT service providers - two out of four of whom have already pulled out - should be brought to a halt and renegotiated to "prevent further inefficiencies". |
But Health Minister Ann Keen said: "The Tories need to make it very clear how their plans will ensure patient confidentiality. | But Health Minister Ann Keen said: "The Tories need to make it very clear how their plans will ensure patient confidentiality. |
"We have already set out our plans to give patients greater access to health information, for example through Healthspace where patients can see their summary care record." | "We have already set out our plans to give patients greater access to health information, for example through Healthspace where patients can see their summary care record." |
A Department of Health spokesman said: "Patients are now directly benefiting from the modernisation of NHS IT - including being able to make their first outpatient appointment through Choose and Book, new digital images and a new electronic prescriptions service." | A Department of Health spokesman said: "Patients are now directly benefiting from the modernisation of NHS IT - including being able to make their first outpatient appointment through Choose and Book, new digital images and a new electronic prescriptions service." |
He added that the programme was already being delivered locally, with "detailed care records" continuing to be held in an electronic form. | He added that the programme was already being delivered locally, with "detailed care records" continuing to be held in an electronic form. |
The government has made it clear to the companies contracted to deliver the upgrades that it expects further significant progress by the end of November, he said. | The government has made it clear to the companies contracted to deliver the upgrades that it expects further significant progress by the end of November, he said. |