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| Experts propose free access online to medical records | Experts propose free access online to medical records |
| (3 months later) | |
| Patients should be able to access their medical records and request prescriptions and appointments online, a government-backed group recommends. | Patients should be able to access their medical records and request prescriptions and appointments online, a government-backed group recommends. |
| The NHS Future Forum, which advises the government on its health reforms, says it would like to see the proposals implemented in England by 2015. | The NHS Future Forum, which advises the government on its health reforms, says it would like to see the proposals implemented in England by 2015. |
| Prof Steve Field, who leads the forum, said the "vision" was that patients should feel they own their data. | Prof Steve Field, who leads the forum, said the "vision" was that patients should feel they own their data. |
| Patient groups have welcomed the plan, but say data must be protected. | Patient groups have welcomed the plan, but say data must be protected. |
| Medical test results and hospital discharge notes would also be available under the scheme, and patients would be able to obtain repeat prescriptions. | Medical test results and hospital discharge notes would also be available under the scheme, and patients would be able to obtain repeat prescriptions. |
| Prof Field told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Most of us share records during consultation, and 70 or so practices already allow free access to patients whenever. | Prof Field told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Most of us share records during consultation, and 70 or so practices already allow free access to patients whenever. |
| "The vision is the patient should feel that they own their own data. That takes a shift in responsibility from, technically, the secretary of state who owns the data - to the patient. | "The vision is the patient should feel that they own their own data. That takes a shift in responsibility from, technically, the secretary of state who owns the data - to the patient. |
| "The idea is that the patient then feels more in control of their health." | "The idea is that the patient then feels more in control of their health." |
| He said he would like to see the plan implemented by 2015. | He said he would like to see the plan implemented by 2015. |
| The proposals will form part of a major report from the NHS Future Forum due out in January. | The proposals will form part of a major report from the NHS Future Forum due out in January. |
| The recommendations do not apply to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. | The recommendations do not apply to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. |
| Confidentiality 'paramount' | Confidentiality 'paramount' |
| The Department of Health said it "fully supported" the future forum plans. | The Department of Health said it "fully supported" the future forum plans. |
| Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "We want patients to feel they are really at the heart of decisions about care - 'no decision about me without me'. | Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "We want patients to feel they are really at the heart of decisions about care - 'no decision about me without me'. |
| Under the scheme, patients will be able to point out mistakes in their records or request a second opinion from their GP. | Under the scheme, patients will be able to point out mistakes in their records or request a second opinion from their GP. |
| Patients can currently ask their GP for access to their records, but the Patients Association says many people report problems doing so. | |
| Its chief executive Katherine Murphy, said: "Allowing patients to access their records on line for free will be welcomed by many. Patients will be able to see entries on their records as well as re-order repeat prescriptions. However, patient confidentiality is paramount. | Its chief executive Katherine Murphy, said: "Allowing patients to access their records on line for free will be welcomed by many. Patients will be able to see entries on their records as well as re-order repeat prescriptions. However, patient confidentiality is paramount. |
| "There must be a guarantee that all patient data will be protected and that it will not be possible to trace back information to an individual." | "There must be a guarantee that all patient data will be protected and that it will not be possible to trace back information to an individual." |
| And she said the focus on online access must not be to the detriment of those who do not have access to a computer. | And she said the focus on online access must not be to the detriment of those who do not have access to a computer. |
| "Patients often report the exorbitant charges they face when asking for paper copies of their records. | "Patients often report the exorbitant charges they face when asking for paper copies of their records. |
| "We would not want online records to create a two-tier system whereby those who are less likely to use the internet system face the brunt of the costs." | "We would not want online records to create a two-tier system whereby those who are less likely to use the internet system face the brunt of the costs." |
| There are also likely to be concerns about the implementation of the scheme following the long-delayed attempt to upgrade NHS electronic medical records. | There are also likely to be concerns about the implementation of the scheme following the long-delayed attempt to upgrade NHS electronic medical records. |
| A spokeswoman for the British Medical Association said: "While the BMA supports the principle of patients having more access to their medical records we would have to be completely reassured that security was water-tight. | A spokeswoman for the British Medical Association said: "While the BMA supports the principle of patients having more access to their medical records we would have to be completely reassured that security was water-tight. |
| "Patient confidentiality is our number one priority and this should not be compromised. | "Patient confidentiality is our number one priority and this should not be compromised. |
| "We are also concerned that some groups who do not have access to the internet, the elderly perhaps, may be at a disadvantage and this will need to be addressed." | "We are also concerned that some groups who do not have access to the internet, the elderly perhaps, may be at a disadvantage and this will need to be addressed." |
| The government said the commitment to patient access to GP records is a central focus of its forthcoming Information Strategy which will set out how and when this will be delivered. | The government said the commitment to patient access to GP records is a central focus of its forthcoming Information Strategy which will set out how and when this will be delivered. |