In message <[log in to unmask]>,
[log in to unmask] writes
>Grant,
>
>Sandra Budd the otherwise estimable Registrar at the Devon Pateint and
>Practitioner Services Agency assures me by letter today that GPs nationally
>have agreed to the copyright notice delivered with the disk I rejected
>containing new NHS numbers for my pateints.
>
>I'm afraid I may not still have the copyright notice, but as I recall it
>said
>"the information is copyright of the Secretary of State for Health, and
> his prior written permission must be obtained for any use of it, and this
>copyright and condition must be imposed upon all recipients of this
>information"
>
>IE if I write a letter with the patient's NHS number on it, I must add a
>copyright notice as well?
>
>Interestingly no permission from the Sec State arrived with the numbers

Oh dear.
We got the download via registration links - and I only spotted this
notice a few days ago. I certainly haven't signed - or knowingly agreed
- to any restrictions on the use of the new NHS number.
I have been sending lab forms (where the number is visible to the
patient) , referal letters containing the new NHS number , and even -
obviously the worst crime - telling patients, if they are interested.
Is this a professional (? service committee) offence - or a
criminal/civil matter (breach of copyright?)
I was thinking of writing to Stephen Dorrell for a written - signed -
permission to use the new numbers when refering patients - should I send
a list of the trusts to which I *might* refer patients in the future?
>
>As she advised I wrote to an apparatchik responsible for new NHS number
>implementation.
>
>Now, if Ms Budd is incorrect in any respect it is no doubt due to being
>misled by a colleague, but have we agreed to add a copyright notice to each
>patient letter, each set of notes printed out, each lab request form?
>And have we agreed to await written permission before using the new
>NHS number on anything?
>
>Having returned the numbers disk I am now advised that they will be
>insinuated into my system by some form of Links - to reduce work for
>Practice staff - always a good aim (although why it only appeared desirable
>at this stage escapes me...)
>It appears that the copyright question will be submerged by this, but I
>have made it clear to said apparatchik that if the NHS really means the
>copyright notice they have presumably sent every GP, they are to stop this
>transfer since I cannot garantee to enforce their copyright.
I wish I had had your foresight -
Mary

Mary Hawking
tel:01582 601289 (home) 01582 663218 (surgery)fax:01582 476488 (surgery)


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