This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25588544
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Patient data to be collected from GPs | Patient data to be collected from GPs |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The NHS in England is to start collecting anonymised data on patient care by GPs for the first time. | |
| Hospital data is already collected but NHS England says extending the initiative to general practice means it will be possible to get a full picture of disease and treatment patterns. | Hospital data is already collected but NHS England says extending the initiative to general practice means it will be possible to get a full picture of disease and treatment patterns. |
| Leaflets explaining the scheme, and how people can opt out if they wish, are being sent to 26.5 million households. | Leaflets explaining the scheme, and how people can opt out if they wish, are being sent to 26.5 million households. |
| It will not be possible to track the data back to individuals. | It will not be possible to track the data back to individuals. |
| Anyone who does not want their information used can talk to their GP, and those who have questions about how the data will be used, can call the information line on 0300 456 3531. | Anyone who does not want their information used can talk to their GP, and those who have questions about how the data will be used, can call the information line on 0300 456 3531. |
| Households in the North of England will receive their leaflets this week, with the rest of England to follow during January. | Households in the North of England will receive their leaflets this week, with the rest of England to follow during January. |
| 'Safe haven' | 'Safe haven' |
| The NHS treats millions of people every week, and the data - which will be collated by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) - can offer a picture of the illnesses they have, their treatments and experiences. | The NHS treats millions of people every week, and the data - which will be collated by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) - can offer a picture of the illnesses they have, their treatments and experiences. |
| Analysing trends can help plan health services in the future at national and local levels. | Analysing trends can help plan health services in the future at national and local levels. |
| Dr Mark Davies, medical director at the HSCIC said the centre was a "safe haven" for data. | Dr Mark Davies, medical director at the HSCIC said the centre was a "safe haven" for data. |
| "We want everyone to feel confident that their information is kept private and used in non-identifiable form to improve the quality of health and social care for everyone. | "We want everyone to feel confident that their information is kept private and used in non-identifiable form to improve the quality of health and social care for everyone. |
| "Equally important is that everyone knows that they have a choice and can raise an objection by simply talking to their GP." | "Equally important is that everyone knows that they have a choice and can raise an objection by simply talking to their GP." |
| Dr Geraint Lewis, chief data officer at NHS England, said: "The NHS has been collecting information like this from hospitals for decades but until now we've been missing information about the quality of care provided outside hospital. | Dr Geraint Lewis, chief data officer at NHS England, said: "The NHS has been collecting information like this from hospitals for decades but until now we've been missing information about the quality of care provided outside hospital. |
| "This initiative is about upgrading our information systems to get a more complete picture of the quality of care being delivered across all parts of the NHS and social care." | "This initiative is about upgrading our information systems to get a more complete picture of the quality of care being delivered across all parts of the NHS and social care." |
| Dr Tony Calland, chairman of the British Medical Association's medical ethics committee, welcomed the leaflet campaign. | Dr Tony Calland, chairman of the British Medical Association's medical ethics committee, welcomed the leaflet campaign. |
| "The BMA is extremely pleased that NHS England is raising awareness about changes to the way patient data is handled in the NHS," he said. | "The BMA is extremely pleased that NHS England is raising awareness about changes to the way patient data is handled in the NHS," he said. |
| "It is vital that people are fully informed about what their data will be used for and how they can object to its use if they wish to." | "It is vital that people are fully informed about what their data will be used for and how they can object to its use if they wish to." |
| Dr Imran Rafi, of the Royal College of GPs, added: "It is important that patients understand how the NHS uses and shares their information, and that they feel they have been given a proper choice to participate. The spin-off is the potential for all NHS patients to benefit ." | Dr Imran Rafi, of the Royal College of GPs, added: "It is important that patients understand how the NHS uses and shares their information, and that they feel they have been given a proper choice to participate. The spin-off is the potential for all NHS patients to benefit ." |