There has been a widespread outcry over the recent announcement of plans for GPs in England to share their patients’ data with a centralised NHS database. The scheme was set to get under way in July but has now been delayed until September following the reaction from medical professionals, politicians, and health charities.
Those arguing against the proposals are citing privacy issues amid concerns the information could be sold onto businesses that will use the wealth of data to boost their profits. So, how exactly will the scheme work, what have some of the detractors had to say, and what steps can you take to protect your data?
What are the details of the scheme?
Its official title is the General Practice Data for Planning and Research, and the idea is for patients’ physical, mental and sexual health data to be collected on one large database run by the NHS. Any details that could identify an individual – such as names, addresses, or photos – will not be included. The information will cover the past 10 years and be updated in line with GP files. The idea behind the scheme is to aid research and analysis, with the aim of improving the country’s healthcare system.
What are some of the concerns surrounding the scheme?
The primary concern is that the volume of data being collected means the system is vulnerable to security breaches, which could have serious consequences for patients who find their details falling into the wrong hands. The other major objection is that there has been a distinct lack of public information about the scheme and many feel blindsided by the announcement.
Those complaints were summed up by British Medical Association GP committee executive team member Dr. Farah Jameel, who said: “People need to fully understand what this programme means and, crucially, how to opt out of their data being shared if this is what they want to do. Recent weeks have shown that communication from NHS Digital to the public has been completely inadequate, causing confusion for patients and GPs alike.”
How can people protect their data?
It is possible to opt out of the scheme, but a deadline of 23rd June has been set, which does not offer patients much time to understand how their data will be used before they decide. Many may not realise what is happening until that deadline has passed, in which case it’s important to take alternative steps to protect your data as much as possible.
You can avoid using applications that gather your personal health information and ensure your privacy settings on all your apps are configured to your preferences, rather than the device’s factory defaults. You can also start using a virtual private network (VPN). With VPN protection, your personal information will be encrypted when you browse online, which means criminals or other third parties will be unable to access it for their own means.
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