Confidential medical records of millions of NHS patients could be passed to private companies under controversial plans being drawn up by ministers.

Private companies could get access to millions of NHS medical records
Article in the Telegraph

Extracts:

"The Government is considering giving firms access to a massive computer database which will contain the records of almost every man, woman and child in England.

The information is a goldmine for private companies, who could use it for medical research or for helping them to sell products to the NHS.

But privacy campaigners say they are "horrified" by the proposals which could see patients' postcodes, medical conditions and treatments - and in some circumstances, their names - passed on to third parties without their consent.

The database, part of a long-delayed scheme to give NHS staff access to computerised medical records, will hold details of almost all visits by patients to hospitals and GPs.

The plans have been dogged by controversy. Last week. ministers gave in to pressure from privacy campaigners and agreed that medics will have to gain the consent of patients before opening their computer records. Yet patients will have almost no control over the same information being passed on to companies and other bodies outside the NHS.

The Department of Health says most records passed onto third parties would be made anonymous, but admits that identifiable data - which could include patient names - could also be handed on if it was deemed to be more useful."

"Ross Anderson, Professor of Security Engineering at Cambridge University, said: "We have had a lot of debate about patients being able to opt out of the national scheme for patient records, but meanwhile the Government have pulled a fast one. There are no limits set on the way this data can be used; this database will hoover up all the personal medical data on every person, and it can be used for whatever the Secretary of State says it can be used for."

Prof Anderson suggested the creation of one large database would also make it easier for different parts of the state to use confidential health data for other purposes, with social workers, courts and police able to access medical files more easily.

Helen Wilkinson, a former NHS manager who founded The Big Opt-Out, a campaign against the national care records scheme, said she was "horrified" by the latest development and planning a major publicity launch to warn people of the threat it posed to their privacy and security.

She said: "We are talking about a hugely valuable commodity which will be worth a fortune to the pharmaceutical industry, and to all the companies which make their profits from the health service."

Joyce Robins, from patient pressure group Patient Concern, said patients would be left "entirely at the mercy" of those operating the scheme."

Cui bono? - I wonder which ministers have reason to favour the interests of the pharmaceutical companies (GSK, anyone?...(o:) over the wishes and privacy of the vast majority of the electorate?

Smokers to get drug before cancer patients do

Smokers get drug before cancer patients - Telegraph

Extract:

"A controversial drug to help smokers quit has been approved for use on the NHS at the same time as cancer sufferers and others have been denied potentially life-saving medication, it was disclosed yesterday.

Champix helps four times as many people stop smoking as those who take nothing and will be given free on the NHS.

The announcement was greeted with dismay as some patients are campaigning for access to cancer drugs, Alzheimer's medication and a treatment to prevent blindness.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) argues that helping people to quit smoking will save the NHS money in the long run because fewer will develop smoking-related diseases.

Champix, also known as varenicline, costs £163.80 for a 12-week course. Nice calculated that Champix would cost £6 million a year but treating fewer smoking-related diseases as a result would save about £11 million a year.

Joyce Robins, of Patient Concern, said: "It won't be a lot of comfort for those whose mother is deteriorating with Alzheimer's or if you are going blind. There are lots of ways to give up smoking - you can get patches from the chemist or join a club. Why does the NHS need to fund it?"

The drug, which is made by Pfizer, eases smokers' cravings and reduces the satisfaction from a cigarette."

I can't say that I regard smoking as a disease and so I don't see why the NHS should be involved in funding drugs that are claimed to help in quitting smoking. If smokers choose to spend money on cigarettes, surely they equally can choose to spend money on methods of stopping smoking...


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Patients groups have criticised GPs over cost of phone calls

GPs criticised over pricy phone codes - Telegraph

Extracts:

"Patients groups have criticised GPs for switching their phone numbers to expensive 0844 dialling codes.

Although the phone numbers are not technically premium rate they are around four pence per minute more expensive than a standard local call.

Campaigners have called for an end to the practice saying it is unfair on elderly patients who can run up large bills calling their surgery regularly.

It is understood that 1,200 GP surgeries have switched to the new numbers and argue that it allows them to provide a better service.

Getting through on the telephone to GP practices can be extremely difficult as some surgeries operate a system where appointments can only be booked on the day, causing a rush of calls in the early morning.

However, the telcoms watchdog, Ofcom, has said it is not appropriate for public sector organisations to use the more expensive phone lines.

Joyce Robins, co-director of Patient Concern, said: “It is quite ridiculous. People should not pay more for their calls to their GP. I thought this had been stopped by the Government, but they have obviously found a loophole. "

"Two years ago the Department of Health banned the use of 0870 numbers in GP surgeries which are premium rate and cost 10 pence a minute to call. "

"But the Say No To 0870 campaign against chargeable numbers said that patients were put in a queue system when using the 0844 numbers which cost them money without talking to anyone.

And Michael Summers, chairman of the Patients Association said it was disgraceful and immoral to charge sick and vulnerable people more than necessary to call their GP practice.

He said: “It is a scandal. It is another way to extract money from the people who can least afford it. We have got excessive car park charges at hospital, bedside telephones and now this new one.

“These people are ill. These are not the people who should be targeted to have money extracted from them. It is immoral.”"


Lose weight by eating less salt! Go on! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!
How to Lose weight!

See my website http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/.html
(The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)

Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

See Sodium in foods and Associated health conditions

I can be contacted via my website if you need my further help. My help is free...