In message <[log in to unmask]
t>, Ahmad Risk <[log in to unmask]> writes
>On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 21:22:52 +0100, Martin & Rosemary Strange wrote:
>
>Thank you, Martin, for the very clear description of PharMed and the
>issues around it.
>
>>Where I worry is that these security issues are complex and some would say
>>esoteric. The same issues must be addressed to enable the plan in the
>>Strategy to allow 24 hour access to a patients clinical record to support
>>the delivery of care - on a need to know basis. Gulp..........
>
>I gulp too. As matters stand in the New Testament Strategy, the
>integrity of personal health information is wide open like a beaver.
>
>I worry and fear that the issues you argue will not be repsected.
>There are not enough people who either, a) know, or b) care, to counter
>attack this real threat to personal health information that looks like
>it's going to be traded wholesale without the necessary safeguards.
I haven't had time to study the whole of the new strategy (*lots* of
problems with downloading! ;-<<) - but can anyone tell me where it
differs, fundamentally, from the 1992 version?
We still seem to have "access to EPRs at the point of need" - just
specified that it will be 24hr - which means it *has* to be electronic,
and without in-house checks.
We also have the statement that , as most contacts are with General
Practice, this is where the records should be maintained....
Will we have to go back to the Lloyd George (or A4 records..) to
maintain a pretence of confidentiality?
*Is* there an organisational means of ensuring security in a hostile
environment? Isn't the main question that of access rights? Once that
has been agreed (not only between the profession and the DOH, but also
with the other stakeholders, such as, dare I suggest, patients?), the
means of enforcing it could be considered - *not* before!
Mary
PS I'm not clear how long it will be before private medicine will be
included.. anyone know a private GP in easy commuting distance from
Luton Airport, and outside UK juristriction?
PPS I hope you all read the Implementation of Caldicott proposals - even
if only three of us sent a response! *Do you think they would give any
assurance of protection of privacy*?
Mary Hawking Kingsbury Court Surgery Church Street Dunstable LU5 4RS
tel:01582 663218 (surgery)fax:01582 476488 (surgery)
Member of British Healthcare Internet Association
Dunstable and Houghton Regis Locality Commisssioning Pilot
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