Following on from the discussions (which I choose not to repeat), I think
it is worth letting everyone know that there might be some signs of progress
in this area.

Tees Health has been promoting a electronic communications project, with
the aim of linking all healthcare providers in (the area formerly known as)
Cleveland.  Progress has been considerably slowed by the encryption issue.

At a meeting of the LMC last week, we resolved to support a feasibility study,
subject to the use of encryption of ALL messages going through the system, using a
method that was acceptable to the BMA and its specialist advisors.  If this
criterion is not met, then there will be no Cleveland wide area network - the
project will be stillborn.  We hope the solution will be found to keep it alive,
even if we have to be one of the pilot areas and suffer the problems that will
bring.

Furthermore, our support was subject to a proper evaluation (by an independent
assessor) not only of the encryption issue, but also of the benefits and costs of
bringing such a network into being.  If possible, we would like to identify areas
where working practices could be changed to enhance the benefit of the system
to users and patients.

We suspect that there will be few direct cost savings to general practice (despite
written assumptions of around 1 wte staff member per four GPs), and that the
costs of running a system should be borne largely by those who save the
money from its introduction.

In taking our standpoint on encryption, we have encountered much opposition.
We have been offered false assurances, faulty logic and been accused of being
crazily paranoid about the idea that HMG would like to read/store/collate or
otherwise use items of medical data transmitted through an electronic message
system.  I have been heartened by my GP colleagues stand on the issue, and
equally disappointed by the initial response from Trusts (though they do not
oppose the idea).

The contributions over the last few months through GP-UK have been invaluable.
The quality of postings from Ross Anderson, Alan Hassey and many others is
so high as to provide definitive answers to many topics under discussion.  At
other times, the mere mention that you are talking to your own experts (especially
if you have a printout of a relevant email message) prevents others railroading
things through.  Such is the power of communication.

There is room on GP-UK for both the trivial, the entertaining, the lurkers, those
looking for second and third opinions, and those with very very serious issues - like
encryption and networks.

I will post news of developments with the network in Cleveland as they become
public, if the GP-UKers want to know!


Bill Beeby, GP, Middlesbrough, Chairman of Cleveland LMC
eMail - [log in to unmask]
PGP ID:A53B1B7D: 50 BB C2 58 D3 8C 92 1D  A3 66 E0 D4 4D 05 54 AC



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